Filipinos want gov't to tackle food prices, jobs as Middle East oil crisis bites — survey

MANILA, Philippines — Four in 10 Filipinos believe bringing down the cost of food should be the national government's main priority, a concern that has only ratcheted up as the war in the Middle East sends fuel prices to record highs.

This is according to the findings of a Pulse Asia poll commissioned by the Stratbase Institute and conducted February 27 to March 2 — the same week the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran and prompted Tehran to choke off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The survey released Thursday, March 19, found that 41% of respondents picked the affordability of food prices as their most important concern. That was up three percentage points from a similar poll in December 2025.

The nationwide survey of 1,200 adults was released the same day as jeepney drivers mounted a nationwide transport strike over fuel costs that have more than doubled since the start of the year. 

Diesel now sells for as much as P114 per liter in Metro Manila after two straight weeks of double-digit price hikes, while gasoline has climbed to around P91, prices unthinkable for the ordinary Filipino consumer just a month ago.

According to the poll, the demand for cheaper food was strongest outside the capital. In Balance Luzon and Mindanao, 46% of respondents flagged food affordability, up from 41% and 40%, respectively, in December. The sharpest jump came from the poorest households: among Class E respondents, the figure rose seven points to 40%.

Filipinos' increasing concern track with what is already happening in the markets as rice prices have also risen by roughly P2 per kilo since the first wave of fuel hikes. 

Meanwhile, 24% of respondents wanted the government to create more jobs and livelihood opportunities, up three points from December. The jump was biggest in Visayas, where the figure surged 16 points, from 27% to 43%.

Corruption, on the other hand, somewhat eased as a priority concern. Twenty-six percent of respondents cited eliminating graft to improve public services, down five points from 31% in December. 

The dip came as the flood control scandal investigations that dominated headlines in the second half of 2025 began winding down. 

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure announced last week that it would cease operations on March 31.

Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit said the findings reflected growing anxiety over food security and inflation amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

“What we are seeing is how geopolitical tensions are directly affecting Filipino households,” he said in a statement. “While corruption remains an important issue, ordinary citizens are now more focused on immediate economic pressures, including food prices and income stability.”