Jobs, lower inflation top Pinoys’ wish list for Aquino

MANILA, Philippines – What should be the first order of business for the Aquino administration? A new survey by Pulse Asia revealed Monday that many Filipinos want President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to prioritize job creation and lower inflation for the first 6 months of his presidency.

The Pulse Asia survey, conducted last July 1-11, showed that 36% of Filipinos want the new President to focus on providing jobs until the end of the year. Another 22% of Filipinos, meanwhile, said reduction and control of prices of basic commodities including gasoline should be the government’s top priority for the next 6 months.

Only 13% of Filipinos said the Aquino administration should prioritize the fight against corruption for the next 6 months.

Aquino, who won the presidency on an anti-corruption platform, has promised to investigate corruption scandals linked to the previous administration. He is set to deliver his first State of the Nation Address later Monday.

The Pulse Asia survey asked 1,200 adults the question: “Which national issue should the new administration of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III prioritize in the coming six months? Please give one answer only.”

Job creation was the biggest concern for large pluralities in Balance Luzon (43%), Metro Manila (35%) and the Visayas (33%). More Mindanaoans, however, said reducing inflation (32%) should be prioritized over job creation (26%).

Job creation was also chosen by more Class D (38%) and E (35%) respondents as the number 1 issue that Aquino should address.

Meanwhile, an equal number of Class ABC respondents chose job creation (22%), reducing inflation (22%) and solving corruption (22%) as the top priority for the Aquino administration.

Other issues cited by respondents are education, workers’ wages, agriculture, peace, housing, livelihood and infrastructure.

The same survey also showed that 85% of Filipinos consider reduction of prices of goods as very important for the Aquino administration.

Respondents were given a list of eight economic, peace and order and political issues and were asked to rank the issues as very important, somewhat important, undecided, somewhat not important, or not at all important.

A big majority said they found it very important for the Aquino administration to not only make new propoor programs but also find ways to finance these (75%), as well as to create new jobs for Filipinos (73%).

The following issues are also seen as being very important by near to small majorities of Filipinos – appointing individuals with skills, experience and integrity to key government officials (60%), preparing a program addressing the government’s fiscal and debt problems (59%), continuing peace negotiations with armed political groups (56%), forging a government of national unity (54%), and providing loans for small businesses and the self-employed (49%). –abs-cbnNEWS.com