If employment and underemeployment figures show declines in such incidents, how come the recent Pulse Asia Research Inc. survey still mentioned that jobs and livelihoods remain the major concern of Filipinos before the 2025 midterm elections.
Which begs the question: Is the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sugar-coating its reports to make the Marcos administration look successful in its economic performance, including jobs and incomes?
The Pulse Asia survey done on September 6 to 13 covering 1,2900 adults– the survey was commissioned by think tank Stratbase ADR— said 57 percent consider job creation, livelihood generation and financial literacy as issues that senatorial bets must have in their campaign platforms, reported Business World.
These were the top issues among 70 percent of Filipinos in Metro Manila, 60 percent in the Visayas and 57 percent in Luzon outside the capital region, and 47 percent in Mindanao.
The same issues were popular among the Class E or families earning up to P15,000 a month, at 61 percent, 60 percent among Class ABC or middle- to upper-class people and 56 percent among Class D.
In the survey, 44 percent said investment-led economic growth was the most important issue with a 50 percent rating in the Visayas, 47 percent in balance Luzon, 41 percent in Metro Manila and 32 percent in Mindanao.
It was the most popular issue among Class ABC at 46 percent, 45 percent among Class D and 33 percent among Class E.
Investment-led economic growth was followed by fighting corruption at 41 percent, quality healthcare at 33 percent and quality education at 29 percent.
Peace and order came in sixth place at 24 percent, followed by wider internet access at 19 percent, building renewable energy sources at 18 percent, reliable mass transportation at 17 percent and fighting illegal drugs at 15 percent.
Sixty-one percent of the respondents said controlling corruption would boost the trust of citizens in the government, while 58 percent said it would improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Fifty-two percent said it would lead to economic growth.
Corruption, poverty
Meanwhile, 65 percent of Filipinos said corruption leads to the loss of trust in the government and public officials, while 51 percent said it worsens poverty.
In the survey, 45 percent said corruption causes inefficient service delivery and 43 percent said it leads to abuse and intimidation by government officials.
The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the midterm polls next year ended on Tuesday. As of Monday, 127 people were seeking a seat in the Senate, while 137 groups had registered for the party-list race.
There were 573 politicians seeking congressional seats, according to data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
It said 230 people are seeking 82 gubernatorial posts, while 3,647 people are seeking 1,642 mayoralty posts, the paper noted.
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