P500 ‘noche buena’ found ‘insulting;’ DTI stands pat
What planet is she on? That’s the question members of the House of Representatives asked on Friday as they denounced Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque’s claim that a Filipino family can prepare a “noche buena” meal for only P500.
The remarks, they said, were unrealistic and insensitive amid high food prices and persistent economic strain.
In separate statements, Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kamanggagawa Rep. Eli San Fernando all agreed that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) estimate was detached from reality, and urged the agency to instead ensure that holiday staples were affordable in time for Christmas.
“[Even] with a simple spread of only spaghetti and cheese, P500 will already not be enough,” Ridon said.
Echoed Tinio: “What kind of Christmas would that even be? A few noodles, eggs, water? This is a slap on the face of every Filipino struggling to make ends meet.”
Cendaña added that the government should certify as urgent pending bills seeking a P200 wage hike “so that workers can actually afford this Christmas season.”
Elago echoed this sentiment and urged the government to also consider scrapping the 12-percent value-added tax on basic goods and raise wages for immediate relief.
San Fernando, for his part, said that such statements that minimize the difficulties of families dealing with high prices and stagnant wages—all while the government is roiled in a massive corruption scandal—“only erodes public trust” in government.
Sonny Africa, executive director of economic watchdog Ibon Foundation, believes that even the agency knows it’s not realistic.
“I think they are saying that on air even though they know it’s not true, to really cover up the worsening situation,” he said in a phone interview with the Inquirer on Friday.
For labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno, Aldeguer-Roque’s statement was an “insult” to Filipino workers who “are forced to tighten their belts to make ends meet” while the corrupt “are reveling in the people’s stolen taxes.”
Following criticisms from various quarters, Aldeguer-Roque insisted on her claim at a press conference on Friday.
“It’s really possible for a family of four,” she said, arguing that her estimate was based on the DTI noche buena price guide released in November.
Citing prices from the DTI guide, Aldeguer-Roque suggested three noche buena bundles that can be purchased for under or near P500 and can serve a family of four.
One bundle costs P374.50, with Christmas ham (P170 for 500 g), spaghetti sauce (P48.50), spaghetti noodles (P30 for 250 g), fruit cocktail (P61.75 for 432g), all-purpose cream (P36.50 for 110 ml), and “pan de sal” (P27.75 for 10 pieces).
DTI price guide
Another option is priced at P428.70, with Christmas ham (P170), spaghetti (P78.50), macaroni salad (P152.45), and pan de sal (P27.75). Serving both macaroni salad and fruit salad would total P526.95.
Aldeguer-Roque said these options were based on typical Filipino holiday viands. Some items, she said, may even cost less when bought as part of bundled promotions.
Under the DTI’s noche buena price guide, the prices of ham range from P170 to P945; fruit cocktail, from P61.76 to P94.41; all-purpose cream, from P36.00 to P72; “nata de coco,” from P52.50 to P62.50; “kaong,” from P76.50 to P84; “queso de bola,” from P210 to P470; cheese, from P16.50 to P310; and mayonnaise, from P20.40 to P245.85.
Compared with last year’s prices, a total of 95 noche buena food items saw an uptick in prices, while six are now cheaper following the DTI’s consultations with manufacturers. More than half of the 256 products covered by the guide, or 129 items, remained at their price levels in 2024.
Price changes for noche buena products, however, still depend on manufacturers. Unlike basic necessities, prices of these staple holiday food products are not regulated or approved by the DTI under the Price Act.
Asked to comment on Aldeguer-Roque’s claim, Palace press officer Claire Castro initially said she could not answer on behalf of the DTI.
But afterward, Castro said it could be possible depending on the buyer’s budgeting techniques.
“It depends on what you’ll buy, what you’re planning to buy. Because there are those prepackaged items, like ‘chop suey.’ Those are cheap, then you buy rice noodles and soy sauce,” she said.
According to Castro, some grocery stores also offer discounts especially as Christmas Day and New Year draw near.
“That depends on your strategy, but I still won’t speak on behalf of DTI,” she said. —WITH A REPORT FROM LUISA CABATO
