The Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) recommendation of a P500 budget for Noche Buena has drawn strong criticism from residents of Cebu City, who say the amount is completely inadequate for preparing traditional Christmas meals given current market prices.
Families Struggle with Rising Costs
According to residents interviewed on Sunday, November 30, 2025, the proposed amount falls far short of what's needed to create a meaningful Christmas celebration. The DTI had previously stated that P500 should be sufficient for a family of four to prepare spaghetti, macaroni salad, and ham.
However, mothers speaking with SunStar Cebu expressed frustration with the recommendation. One mother of four children, who requested anonymity, revealed that even basic spices would consume a significant portion of the P500 allocation. She described the government's suggestion as "an insult" to poor families who still hope to celebrate Christmas meaningfully despite financial constraints.
Market Vendors Confirm Budget Shortfall
At Carbon Market, vendors agreed that P500 is insufficient for a typical Christmas feast. Christa (not her real name), a meat vendor, explained that the amount wouldn't even cover the proper ingredients for spaghetti alone.
"It's not enough. For spaghetti alone, it might be sufficient but without cream, without condensed milk. If it's just one dish, P500 might work but it would be very small," she stated.
The vendor described that their family's typical Noche Buena includes spaghetti, salad, pork, chicken, and fruits. Even with more than 10 family members including extended relatives, they strive to make Christmas memorable since it's only once a year celebration that families look forward to.
Emotional Response from Affected Families
The anonymous mother expressed her disappointment strongly, questioning the government's perception of poor families: "Do you think so little of poor people that you budget us only P500? Is this how you see Filipinos?"
She emphasized that Christmas remains an important annual celebration that families aspire to make special, regardless of financial difficulties. "In these times, prices of goods are so high. Your P500 would only cover spices because everything is so expensive," she added.
The mother noted that while P500 might have been adequate in previous decades, it no longer reflects current market realities. Her comments highlight the growing gap between government recommendations and the actual economic pressures facing ordinary Filipino families during the holiday season.
