DTI Secretary Cris Roque recently made a bold claim about the cost of Noche Buena preparations, suggesting that P500 would be enough for a simple Christmas Eve meal. According to Roque, over 100 Noche Buena items have retained their prices, and a budget of P500 would suffice to buy the basics, including ham, spaghetti, and macaroni salad.
“Kung tutuusin P500 makakabili na kayo ng ham. Makagawa ka na ng macaroni salad, makakagawa ka na rin ng spaghetti, depende rin po yan kung ilan yung taong kakain,” Roque confidently stated.
While Roque’s statement was meant to assure the public that Christmas meals are still within reach, the reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. Online users quickly criticized the claim, some even taking a jab at the idea. One social media user quipped, “Kaya ng Hamon yung 500, Hamon ng buhay” poking fun at the increasing difficulty of living amidst rising prices.
Despite DTI’s optimistic outlook, many products have seen price increases. For example, Chinese ham prices have surged to an average of P2,000 per kilo depending on the brand, while other Noche Buena essentials, like pasta and cheese, have also experienced hikes.
These rising costs have made it harder for Filipino families to stick to the P500 budget Roque suggested. The price of a simple ham alone is now significantly higher, making it almost impossible to stretch that P500 for a traditional holiday spread.
Roque’s comments also seemed to downplay the reality of inflation and its effects on the Filipino household. Many online commenters pointed out that the cost of living has soared in recent years, and the idea of having a traditional Noche Buena for such a low budget feels disconnected from what most people experience.
Even if you choose the cheapest options available, the cost of feeding a family with a festive spread of ham, pasta, and other typical Noche Buena dishes could easily exceed P500.
This backlash highlights a larger issue: government officials are often out of touch with the financial struggles of ordinary Filipinos. With prices of essentials like pork, spices, and packaging on the rise, a P500 meal feels more like a fantasy than a feasible option for many families.
While DTI insists that cheaper, more affordable alternatives are available, the reality is that these options may not be as widely accessible to everyone, particularly in areas where prices are higher due to supply issues.
At the heart of the public outcry is a frustration with the growing disparity between government assurances and the lived experiences of everyday people. For many, a simple holiday meal, once a symbol of tradition and family togetherness, has become yet another reminder of how difficult it is to make ends meet in today’s economy.
The disconnect between government statements and the harsh reality of rising prices underscores the need for more realistic solutions to address the cost of living in the Philippines.
