Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) budget estimate of ₱500 for a Christmas Eve feast (Noche Buena) has drawn flak from lawmakers and netizens on Friday, Nov. 28.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque called a press briefing on Friday, Nov. 28, to clarify that her ₱500 remark was based on the agency’s price guide list drawn up after DTI made the rounds of supermarkets and groceries ahead of the holidays.
The DTI’s regular monitoring was meant to police overpricing.
She also said the ₱500 budget was from the assumption that two adults and two children will share the Christmas eve meal, pointing out that the amount will depend on the number of family members or even extended relatives who will join the Noche Buena.
“Tinanong sa akin kasya ba na ₱500? And I said yes, kasya na 500 pesos but it depends on the number of family members. Kasi usually ang family members na kasya itong 500 is mom, dad, and two children,” she said.
[Translation: I was asked if P500 is enough. I said yes, but it will depend on the number of family members. It will be enough for a family of four: mom, dad, and two children.]
The DTI’s price guide list put the cost of the following Noche Buena items at as follows:
· Christmas ham ₱170.00
· Spaghetti noodles ₱30.00
· Spaghetti sauce ₱48.50
· Macaroni noodles ₱40.95
· Mayonnaise ₱55.00
· Cheese ₱56.50
· Fruit salad
– Fruit cocktail ₱61.75
– All-purpose cream ₱36.50
· Pinoy pan de sal ₱27.75
“So a total of ₱526.95. Dito namin siya kinuha [This is where we got it from],” Roque said.
In separate statements, three lawmakers assailed Roque’s remarks and urged the DTI to bring down food prices.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendana said the budget estimate “would suffice if you travel back in time.”
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said putting the Christmas Eve dinner at P500 “insult Filipino families.”
“While contractors and their conspirators in government are living a luxurious life using public funds – billions in kickbacks from budget insertions – the same government is trying to trick people into scrimping on their budgets and to make do with their small salaries,” Ridon said in a statement written in the vernacular.
“This is the height of hypocrisy and cruelty,” he added.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, who is also House Committee on Public Accounts chairperson, said the DTI remarks “ignores the reality” of rising food prices.
“Sa anong planeta kasya yung P500 para sa Noche Buena ng pamilyang Pilipino,” Ridon said in a statement.
[Translation: In which planet can a P500 budget for a Noche Buena dinner be enough for a Filipino family?]
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