Pinoys back bets promoting affordable basic goods and services, enhanced healthcare – OCTA survey

The majority of Filipino voters will choose candidates who would keep basic goods and services affordable as well as those who will enhance health care in the May 2025 elections, according to the latest OCTA Research survey.

Released on Saturday, OCTA’s Tugon ng Masa survey for April 2025 focused on key issues that may influence voter decisions in this year’s polls.

The non-commissioned survey showed that of 1,200 adult Filipino respondents, 53% saw affordable basic goods and services as their most critical concern.

This was followed by the need to enhance and fortify the healthcare system (50%) and the importance of strengthening the agriculture sector and securing a stable food supply (47%).

The survey also recorded that Filipinos are concerned with expanding job opportunities (41%) and addressing poverty and hunger issues (38%).

“These concerns reflect the electorate’s desire for candidates who can address essential aspects of economic and social well-being,” the OCTA survey said.

Majority of the respondents across all major areas and socio-economic classes are likely to vote for candidates who advocate maintaining basic goods and services affordable, except Mindanao and Class E with 49% support.

Candidates who advocate improving and strengthening the healthcare system acquired the majority of support nationwide, excluding Mindanao (37%) and Class D voters (48%).

Meanwhile, 62% of Filipinos in Mindanao support candidates who promote strengthening the agricultural sector and ensuring a stable food supply, while 56% will likely vote for candidates prioritizing the fight against illegal drugs.

The same poll showed that combating illegal drugs (38%) and fighting crime (32%) were among the top issues among Pinoy voters, with the highest percentage recorded in Mindanao.

“These concerns highlight the electorate’s focus not only on issues on the economic and social well-being, but also with ensuring peace and order in the country," the survey said.

The survey also noted that 18% of the respondents will likely vote for a candidate who advocates defending Philippine territory, especially in the West Philippine Sea.

OCTA Research said the survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews from April 10 to 16, 2025.

It has a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following margins of error at a 95% confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. —RF, GMA Integrated News

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