NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
P500 For Noche Buena? DTI Says It's Possible - But Keep It Simple
Photo credit: Cristina Roque
As holiday prices rise, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) says families can still pull off a simple Noche Buena for just ₱500 — as long as they stick to the basics.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque emphasized that the P500 budget is meant for a “simplest-Filipino-family” meal, not a full-blown Christmas spread. With careful planning, she said families can buy essentials like ham, macaroni salad ingredients, and spaghetti.
“Kung tutuusin, ₱500 makakabili na kayo ng ham. Makakagawa ka na ng macaroni salad, makakagawa ka na rin ng spaghetti. Depende rin po ‘yan kung ilan ‘yung taong kakain,” Roque explained.
The announcement aims to help families cope with holiday costs, though it has sparked debate online about whether ₱500 is truly realistic amid rising prices.
DTI’s Price Guide Highlights
To guide shoppers, DTI released a 2025 Noche Buena Price Guide covering common Christmas Eve items — from ham and pasta to fruit cocktail, cheese, and mayonnaise.
Some hams (500–800g) are priced as low as ₱170.
Pasta, sauces, cheese, and other staples mostly kept stable prices, with some even seeing rollbacks.
The guide encourages consumers to compare prices, pick what fits their budget, and take advantage of deals.
Reality Check: Not a Traditional Spread
DTI stresses that ₱500 only covers the basics. A traditional Filipino Christmas table with multiple dishes, queso de bola, fruit salad, and extras would cost far more. Many shoppers report that even a modest spread now runs ₱1,500–₱2,000.
Some critics and lawmakers have called the ₱500 suggestion unrealistic and even insulting given current economic pressures. Supporters, meanwhile, see it as a reminder to be practical: shop smart, bundle deals, and prioritize essentials.
“Being wais and matalino sa inyong Noche Buena shopping,” Roque said, urging families to plan carefully.
With many holiday essentials holding stable prices this year, DTI says it’s doing its part to make a simple Christmas dinner more achievable — if families stick to a no-frills approach.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque emphasized that the P500 budget is meant for a “simplest-Filipino-family” meal, not a full-blown Christmas spread. With careful planning, she said families can buy essentials like ham, macaroni salad ingredients, and spaghetti.
“Kung tutuusin, ₱500 makakabili na kayo ng ham. Makakagawa ka na ng macaroni salad, makakagawa ka na rin ng spaghetti. Depende rin po ‘yan kung ilan ‘yung taong kakain,” Roque explained.
The announcement aims to help families cope with holiday costs, though it has sparked debate online about whether ₱500 is truly realistic amid rising prices.
DTI’s Price Guide Highlights
To guide shoppers, DTI released a 2025 Noche Buena Price Guide covering common Christmas Eve items — from ham and pasta to fruit cocktail, cheese, and mayonnaise.
Some hams (500–800g) are priced as low as ₱170.
Pasta, sauces, cheese, and other staples mostly kept stable prices, with some even seeing rollbacks.
The guide encourages consumers to compare prices, pick what fits their budget, and take advantage of deals.
Reality Check: Not a Traditional Spread
DTI stresses that ₱500 only covers the basics. A traditional Filipino Christmas table with multiple dishes, queso de bola, fruit salad, and extras would cost far more. Many shoppers report that even a modest spread now runs ₱1,500–₱2,000.
Some critics and lawmakers have called the ₱500 suggestion unrealistic and even insulting given current economic pressures. Supporters, meanwhile, see it as a reminder to be practical: shop smart, bundle deals, and prioritize essentials.
“Being wais and matalino sa inyong Noche Buena shopping,” Roque said, urging families to plan carefully.
With many holiday essentials holding stable prices this year, DTI says it’s doing its part to make a simple Christmas dinner more achievable — if families stick to a no-frills approach.
Nov 28, 2025
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