9 of 10 voters favor bets pushing for jobs, food security – survey

Dindo Manhit, Stratbase Institute president —Photo from the Stratbase Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — Job creation, food security, health care programs, education access, overseas workers welfare — nine out of 10 Filipino voters will pick candidates who make these concerns part of their advocacies.

This was the finding of a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in partnership with the Stratbase Group from Jan. 17 to 20. The survey, which included 1,800 respondents has a ±2 margin of error, according to a Stratbase statement.

Results show that 94% of voters will pick candidates who advocate for “increasing job opportunities” and “development of agriculture and ensuring food security.”

“Similarly, 93% of Filipinos will favor bets who aim to ‘strengthen the healthcare system,’ while 92% said that they would vote for those who fight for ‘equal access to education’ and ‘workers rights and OFW welfare’,” Stratbase said.

“Achieving food security is a reachable goal and it is imperative that we keep a laser-like focus on this issue because it affects every Filipino and seeps into each aspect of our nation’s life,” the statement quotes Victor Manhit, Stratbased Institute president, as saying.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Job security, on the other hand, must be strengthened to ensure stability for workers. At the same time, Filipino talent remains underutilized due to labor market constraints. Unlocking the full potential of our workforce is essential for
driving economic progress and fostering inclusive growth,” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Health, education, and the welfare of OFWs are the backbone of a strong and resilient nation. Investing in these are a necessity to ensure a continuous boost in our economy,” he went on.

Moreover, many Filipino voters — 87% of them — said that they would vote for a candidate who pushes for “reducing the poverty and hunger” and “addressing the impacts of climate change and enhancing disaster preparedness.”

In line with a common urgent concern nationwide, 85% of Filipinos said they would vote for a candidate who can “control the prices of basic services and goods.”

“Inflation is a powerful destabilizer. Going forward, the government must strike a balance between generating more revenue and ensuring that its reforms do not unintentionally impose hardships on Filipino consumers,” Manhit said.

Consistent with the popularity of stories about China and Philippine relation, 83% of Filipinos said they favor candidates who would “defend national security and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.”

Meanwhile, 82% said they would will vote for candidates who aim to “achieve energy security and the usage of renewable energy.”

“The Philippines must continue using assertive transparency to uphold a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific to protect what is rightfully ours. Now more than ever, we must stand united in defending our sovereignty,” Manhit said.