The Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) recommendation of a P500 budget for a family Noche Buena feast has drawn sharp criticism from residents in Cebu City, who argue the amount is completely inadequate given the current economic climate and rising costs of basic goods.
Mothers and Market Vendors Voice Their Disapproval
In interviews conducted by SunStar Cebu on Sunday, November 30, 2025, local mothers expressed their frustration. An anonymous mother of four described the DTI's suggestion as "insulting" to poor families, questioning the government's perception of Filipino households. She emphasized that even basic spices consume a significant part of the proposed P500, an amount she believed was sufficient decades ago but not in today's market.
At Carbon Market, the city's largest public market, vendors confirmed the financial shortfall. A meat vendor named Christa (not her real name) stated that P500 might cover a single dish, like spaghetti, but without essential ingredients like cream and condensed milk. For a proper holiday spread including spaghetti, salad, pork, chicken, fruits, and cake, the cost easily surpasses the DTI's estimate, especially for larger families.
The Official DTI Price Breakdown vs. Reality
The DTI's own Price Guide, presented by Trade Undersecretary Amanda Roque, outlines a sample basket totaling P526. This includes:
- Spaghetti at P78.50
- Macaroni salad at P152.44
- Christmas ham at P170
- Fruit salad at P98.25
- Ten pieces of Pinoy pandesal at P27.75
While Undersecretary Roque mentioned that the final cost could be adjusted based on a family's preferences, residents maintain that the official estimate does not reflect the financial realities they face. For families striving to make Christmas meaningful despite financial hardship, the P500 budget is seen as a disconnect from their everyday struggles with inflation.
