A recent nationwide survey by independent pollster WR Numero reveals that employment and wage issues are the top concerns among Filipinos. The March 2026 Philippine Public Opinion Monitor found that 63% of respondents want the government to prioritize creating jobs and livelihood opportunities, while 49% emphasized increasing workers' wages. These figures represent increases of 41 and 15 percentage points, respectively, compared to November 2025.
Other Key Issues
Four in 10 Filipinos (40%) urged the government to focus on fighting illegal drugs. Combating corruption and other government wrongdoing was a priority for 32%, and 26% cited lowering prices of goods and basic necessities. Additionally, 14% highlighted fighting crime, 12% stressed combating poverty and assisting the poor, and 10% called for fair enforcement of the law for both powerful and ordinary citizens.
Less Prioritized Concerns
Smaller shares of respondents mentioned reducing taxes and government fees (6%), holding accountable those involved in anomalous flood control projects (6%), legalizing same-sex marriage (5%), and strengthening disaster preparedness and response (5%). Other issues included protecting OFWs (4%), defending against China's intrusion in the West Philippine Sea (4%), strengthening coast guards and armed forces (4%), regulating political dynasties (3%), and legalizing divorce (1%).
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted from March 10 to 17, 2026, through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,455 adult Filipinos. It has a margin of error of ±3% at the national level, with a 95% confidence level. Subnational margins of error are ±7% for the National Capital Region, ±4% for the rest of Luzon, ±6% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao.
