The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday maintained that a ₱500 budget remains sufficient for Filipino households to prepare simple Noche Buena dishes this Christmas season.
In a radio interview, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said that with ₱500, families can already buy ingredients for common holiday staples such as macaroni salad and spaghetti.
“Kung tutuusin, [sa] ₱500 makakabili na kayo ng ham. Makakagawa ka na ng macaroni salad, makakagawa ka na rin ng spaghetti, depende rin po ‘yan kung ilan ‘yong taong kakain,” Roque said.
However, she clarified that the overall budget for Noche Buena still depends on the family size and the variety of dishes they plan to serve.
“‘Yong budget nila, it would really depend kung ano gusto nilang ihain sa kanilang pamilya this coming Christmas. Depende rin kung gaano kalaki ‘yong pamilya. Kung tatlo lang naman kayo, siyempre, mas kaunti ‘yon hindi ba? Kung apat kayo, edi mas malaki nang kaunti,” she explained.
Roque also noted that households are expected to save more this season due to bundles, packs, and a price freeze on basic and prime commodities implemented by the DTI until January 2026.
“Dapat ang consumers natin maging vigilant. Alam din po nila dapat ‘yong presyo ng mga bilihin. Ang best po talaga para sa kanila, mag-check sa website tsaka sa social media ng DTI,” she advised.
“Nakapaskil po doon ‘yong presyo ng basic commodities and prime commodities ng noche buena items, ‘yong mga nag-roll back at nag-retain ng presyo,” she added.