DTI defends P500 noche buena budget, says it can feed a family of four
- DTI Secretary Cristina Roque clarifies that P500 can cover a simple Christmas meal, including ham and spaghetti
- The Department of Trade and Industry cites its price guide to support the claim that the amount suffices for a small family
- Roque emphasizes that not all families aim for extravagant celebrations, and some may allocate extra funds for gifts
- The statement comes after public criticism questioning whether P500 is adequate for a traditional Filipino Noche Buena
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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) defended its recent statement that P500 is sufficient to purchase staple dishes for a Christmas Noche Buena.
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According to Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, the amount is based on the department’s price guide and is intended for a small family.
“Puwede siya talaga. Kung tutuusin, it’s really pasok for a family of four,” Roque said on Friday, stressing that the budget is practical for a basic meal.
She added that this could include common Noche Buena items such as ham and spaghetti.
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The secretary noted that not everyone celebrates Christmas extravagantly.
“Not everybody naman wants to celebrate ostentatiously or ‘yong sobra-sobra. ‘Yong iba, mayroon lang silang budget para rito. For them, ito lang ‘yong handa ko, tapos whatever extra money, siguro pang-regalo na or whatever,” she explained.
The DTI’s clarification comes after critics questioned whether P500 could realistically cover the cost of traditional Filipino Christmas fare.
The department’s Noche Buena price guide shows that, when purchased strategically, families can enjoy a modest holiday meal without exceeding the suggested budget.
Roque emphasized that the P500 figure is a guideline rather than a strict requirement, allowing households to adjust according to their size and preferences.
By providing a reference, the DTI aims to help families plan their holiday meals while staying within their financial means.
The pronouncement of the agency also elicited various reactions from the public including a number of known personalities.
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In a previous report by KAMI, a family of three was brutally shot and killed inside their store in Barangay Mallorca, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. CCTV footage captured three men entering the store, closing the roll-up door, and opening fire on the entire family. Before fleeing, one of the suspects even took a bag and a mobile phone belonging to the victims. According to Gary De Leon of TV 5’s Frontline Pilipinas, the family reportedly began receiving threats after lending P1 million to a local resident, who allegedly used the money for business purposes.
In another widely shared local report, a 51-year-old public school teacher in Las Piñas City was repeatedly stabbed by her husband. EJ Gomez of Unang Balita reported that the attack took place inside the school’s faculty room. Police noted that while the school has a security guard, the suspect was familiar to the area, allowing him to enter and exit the premises easily. The husband claimed he went to the school to talk to his wife and resolve their disagreement, but the conversation escalated into a violent argument.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
