Pinoys want pay hike, jobs, prices tackled in SONA

MANILA, Philippines — Increasing workers’ pay, reducing the prices of basic goods and creating more jobs and livelihood are the top three issues Filipinos would “most like” to hear from President Duterte during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, according to the latest survey by Pulse Asia.

In terms of the issues the public would most like the President to mention during his SONA, the most often cited ones are those related to increasing the pay of workers and reducing the prices of basic goods, both at 17.1 percent. This was followed by creating more jobs or livelihood opportunities at 15.2 percent, Pulse Asia said.

The nationwide poll conducted from June 24 to 30 used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above.

Meanwhile, about one in 10, or 9.2 percent of Filipinos, would like Duterte to discuss issues surrounding the relations between the Philippines and China.

In particular, 6.1 percent of Filipinos think the Philippines should assert its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, while 3.1 percent believe the President should explain the country’s policy in relation to China.

The Philippine government has maintained good relations with China despite the June 9 ramming of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel at Recto Bank, located near Palawan.

Other issues that Filipinos would like the President to discuss are those dealing with fighting illegal drugs (7.8 percent) and improving the agricultural sector (5.9 percent), the pollster said.

The remaining issues and concerns are each mentioned by, at most, 2.6 percent of Filipino adults, such as increasing pension, ending contractualization and fighting poverty and crime.

The survey also showed that three or four Filipino adults (75 percent) have heard, read or watched something about any of the past SONAs delivered by Duterte.

Majority awareness levels are recorded across geographic areas and socio-economic classes (67 percent to 86 percent and 73 percent to 85 percent, respectively). 

Awareness is more pronounced in Metro Manila and Mindanao than in the rest of Luzon (81 percent to 86 percent versus 67 percent), Pulse Asia noted.

“Year-on-year, awareness of any of the previous SONAs of the President eases at the national level (-8 percentage points), as well as in the rest of Luzon and Class D (-13 and -11 percentage points, respectively),” Pulse Asia said. – With Christina Mendez