MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos took to social media to doubt the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) budget estimate for a Noche Buena meal, after the agency posted that a holiday spread could be prepared for ₱488.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, the DTI said consumers could purchase ground beef, a pasta-and-spaghetti sauce bundle, fruit cocktail, Pinoy pandesal, cheese, and American ham for under ₱500.
“Masarap at masaganang Noche Buena on a budget? Kayang kaya ’yan, Konsyumer. Basta’t maging wais at matalino sa inyong Noche Buena shopping!” the DTI wrote in the post, which quickly went viral before it was later taken down.
But the post did little to convince the public. Online users questioned the accuracy of the computation, saying current market prices make it nearly impossible to assemble a complete Noche Buena basket with such a limited amount.
Netizens grew even more enraged following the statement of DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque regarding what ₱500 can supposedly buy.
“Kung tutuusin, ₱500, makakabili na kayo ng ham. Makakagawa ka na ng macaroni salad, makakagawa ka na rin ng spaghetti. Depende na rin po ‘yan kung ilan ‘yong kakain,” she said.
Here are the netizens’ comments:
“Do you cook & do the marketing in your household? Be real.”
“Isa din to, aga aga nambubweset.”
“With all due respect po Ma’am Roque, kindly give us the name of the supermarket where you bought all the noche buena items you made as reference for this statement. I personally would like to experience this ‘tipid’ hack.”
“Grabe. Touch some grass et! Bahaha.”
“Pa live po ng handa niyo sa pasko at new year . Aabangan kopo ang 500pesos na handa niyo.”
“Saang planeta ka po galing maem?”
What are your thoughts about it?
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express