Research Pillars
Eurobarometer-scale breadth adapted to the Philippine context. A core module of consistent tracking questions plus rotating deep-dive modules cycling annually.
Core + Rotating Structure
Following the Eurobarometer model, PIIR uses a two-tier survey structure. The core module asks identical questions every quarter, enabling long-term trend analysis. Rotating deep-dive modules cycle annually, providing detailed data on each pillar at least once per year.
This structure balances comprehensiveness with depth. The Eurobarometer's value comes from 50+ years of comparable data using consistent questions. PIIR establishes this same foundation from Wave 1.
Annual Survey Calendar
Digital Readiness and Education/Employment modules rotate as annual special modules.
Core Module
Identical questions asked every quarter for long-term trend tracking. These questions never change, enabling wave-over-wave comparisons from the first survey onward.
- Life satisfaction (4-point scale, Eurobarometer-compatible)
- Direction of the country (right direction vs. wrong direction)
- Most important issues facing the country (open-ended, top 3)
- Trust in institutions (President, Congress, Supreme Court, LGUs, PNP, AFP, media, religious institutions, NGOs)
- Economic situation assessment (personal, household, national)
- Personal financial situation (better, same, worse vs. 12 months ago)
- Employment situation perception
- Cost of living pressure (single tracking question on affordability)
- Drinking water safety perception (single tracking question)
- Digital access satisfaction (single tracking question)
Deep-Dive Modules
Rotating modules that provide comprehensive coverage of each research domain.
Trust in Institutions & Governance
Comprehensive assessment of public trust across all levels of government and institutional actors. Tracks corruption perception, satisfaction with public services, media credibility, and democratic process confidence.
Key Indicators
- Trust rating per institution with trend tracking
- Perceived corruption level by sector and institution
- Satisfaction with public services: healthcare, education, transportation, utilities, justice system
- Trust in electoral processes and democratic institutions
- Media credibility by platform type (TV, print, social media, online news)
- Perception of political dynasties
- Local vs. national government satisfaction comparison
- Freedom of expression perception
- Safety and security satisfaction
Cost of Living & Economic Wellbeing
Detailed household-level economic data capturing the gap between official statistics and lived reality. Includes PIIR's proprietary Regional Cost of Living Index, the first independent regional affordability measure for the Philippines.
Key Indicators
- Household monthly expenditure by category (food, housing, transport, utilities, education, healthcare)
- Perceived affordability vs. actual price tracking
- Self-rated poverty and economic class identification
- Food security: meals skipped, food variety, market access
- Housing affordability and satisfaction
- Remittance dependency (OFW impact on household economics)
- Informal employment and underemployment experience
- Savings and debt situation
- Regional cost of living comparison index (PIIR-developed methodology)
Public Health, Water Safety & Environment
Addresses critical public health data gaps, with a flagship module on drinking water safety - an area where independent household-level data is essentially nonexistent in the Philippines.
Key Indicators
- Source of household drinking water by region
- Perception of water safety and trust in drinking water
- Water treatment methods used at household level
- Cost of drinking water (gallon delivery, filtration, bottled water)
- Experience of waterborne illness in household
- Satisfaction with water supply reliability
- Access to healthcare facilities and quality satisfaction
- Health insurance coverage and PhilHealth satisfaction
- Environmental concerns: air quality, waste management, flooding
- Climate change perception and disaster preparedness
- Mental health awareness and access to services
Startup, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
Independent startup ecosystem data, free from investor bias. Current Philippine ecosystem reports are produced by VC firms with financial interests in presenting the ecosystem favorably. PIIR provides neutral, verified data.
Key Indicators
- Quarterly funding deal count and value (independently verified)
- Founder demographic profile: age, gender, education, region
- Public perception of entrepreneurship as a career by region and age
- Top barriers to starting a business by region
- SME technology adoption rates by sector
- Regional ecosystem scores (NCR, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, emerging cities)
- Investor sentiment index
- Brain drain indicator: tech talent leaving vs. returning
- Awareness of government startup support programs
- Access to business financing perception
Digital Readiness & Adoption
Comprehensive digital landscape assessment across demographics and geography. Covers infrastructure access, digital literacy, e-government adoption, digital finance, and emerging technology awareness.
Key Indicators
- Internet access by region, urban/rural, income bracket
- Internet speed and reliability satisfaction
- Monthly internet cost as percentage of household income
- Digital literacy self-assessment by age group
- E-government service usage and satisfaction
- Digital payment adoption and barriers
- AI awareness, attitudes, and usage
- Cybersecurity awareness and incident experience
- Digital skills gap perception
Education, Employment & Social Mobility
Measures the Filipino experience of education, work, and opportunity - capturing the gap between aspiration and reality across age groups, regions, and economic classes.
Key Indicators
- Education quality satisfaction by level
- Skills mismatch perception (graduates vs. job market)
- Job satisfaction, security, and benefits
- Youth aspirations and opportunity perception
- Social mobility perception: can hard work lead to a better life?
- Discrimination experience by type
- OFW intent and reasons
- Working conditions satisfaction
- Lifelong learning and upskilling behavior
Explore Our Approach
Learn how we design our surveys and ensure the highest standards of data quality and methodological rigor.