90% of Filipinos would vote for agriculture, food security advocates — survey

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'We need candidates who will prioritize food security and take decisive action to address the rising prices of essential goods that Filipinos rely on,' says Stratbase president Dindo Manhit

MANILA, Philippines – Amid concerns over food inflation in the Philippines, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey has found that 90% of Filipinos would vote for a candidate who advocates for agricultural development and food security in the 2025 midterm polls.

The survey, commissioned by the think tank Stratbase Group, interviewed 1,800 registered voters nationwide from February 15 to 19.

Image courtesy of Social Weather Stations

The survey also found that 81% of Filipinos will support candidates who advocate for price controls on basic commodities.

According to Stratbase president Dindo Manhit, the survey results show that rising cost of goods remains a top concern for Filipinos.

“We need candidates who will prioritize food security and take decisive action to address the rising prices of essential goods that Filipinos rely on,” he said in a statement.

Similarly, data forensics firm The Nerve’s survey of 2,700 Rappler readers found inflation to be the second most important issue among respondents next to corruption. However, when asked what should be the top priority of candidates for the economy, 36% said it should be controlling prices and inflation, and 19% said it should be helping farmers and improving agriculture.

Comparatively, even though inflation leading up to the 2019 midterm polls averaged at around 3.7% before election day, more Filipinos looked for a leader who was not corrupt and was genuinely concerned for the poor, according to a SWS survey in December 2018.

As Filipinos continue to grapple with economic hardships exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising commodity prices climbed voters’ list of priority issues.

How do candidates plan to solve rising prices?

While the Philippines’ inflation rate remained steady at 2.9% in January, food inflation was faster at 4%.

Tomatoes alone logged a 155.7% inflation rate in January as local supply chains grappled with the effects of six consecutive tropical cyclones in the fourth quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, inflation of meat prices quickened to 6.4% amid the African swine fever.

Although inflation for the poorest 30% of households has slowed, prices of vegetables and meat continue to rise at a faster pace, making it even more difficult for Filipinos to make ends meet.

A 2024 study by B2B platform Packworks found that Filipinos bought more food additives from sari-sari stores to stretch their limited budgets.

During GMA’s Senatorial Face-Off on February 1, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who ranked eighth to ninth in the latest senatorial survey, said he wants to see an intensified crackdown against smugglers and hoarders who are attempting to manipulate market prices.

Former senate president Tito Sotto wants the government to buy at least 50% of farmers’ output to provide farmers with a steady source of income.

Sotto’s ex-running mate in the 2022 polls, former senator Ping Lacson, wants to institutionalize Kadiwa stores so Filipinos can access agricultural products at lower prices.

At a press conference of the Alyansa senatorial slate on Tuesday, February 18, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay urged authorities to strictly enforce anti-smuggling laws, as she believes prices of basic commodities like rice are rising due to hoarding and smuggling.

Former senator Kiko Pangilinan also urged authorities to hold profiteers accountable, but he further proposed using modern technology to encourage younger Filipinos to pursue farming.

Former senator Manny Pacquiao and television host Willie Revillame also vowed to prioritize farmers and fisherfolk without giving specific details. – Rappler.com