Palace stands by DTI’s P500 Noche Buena budget

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday stood by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s claim that P500 is enough for a Noche Buena meal, a claim that has drawn flak for supposedly being unrealistic and insulting to workers who are facing financial struggles.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the issue is not about whether the amount could pull off a festive Christmas meal.

“What is being discussed with regard to the P500 is whether it is doable. Even experts like Steve Cua of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association Inc. agreed with the DTI,” the Palace press officer said at a press briefing.

“The discussion here is about whether it is doable. That is the issue of the DTI at that time because DTI (officials) announced that they have asked the manufacturers of basic needs, basic commodities, not to raise prices until the end of December... I hope they won’t miss the essence of what the DTI was saying,” she added.

The trade department has clarified that P500 is sufficient for the basic Noche Buena meal of a family of four based on its price guide, noting that not everyone wants to celebrate Christmas lavishly.

Reacting to the government’s position, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos said the Noche Buena is a sacred Christmas gathering and that the DTI should not steal its spirit and meaning from families.

He was reacting to the much maligned pronouncement from Trade Secretary Cristina Roque that a budget of P500 would be enough for a family of four to have a decent Noche Buena.

“Noche Buena is not meant to be a time of tinitipid (scrimping) and limited. It is meant to be a time of rejoicing, of offering our best to God and to one another. It is abundance of faith, not scarcity imposed by neglect. Do not steal the spirit of Christmas from our families,” Santos said.

“Let us remember, Noche Buena is not simply an ‘ordinary meal.’ It is a sacred family gathering, a celebration of Emmanuel – God is with us. To diminish it is to diminish the joy of Christ’s coming,” he said.

“Noche Buena is not merely about food on the table – it is about love, generosity and the joy of being together as one family in faith,” the bishop said.

The Antipolo prelate said he shares the sentiment of many people that the P500 budget for a Noche Buena is absurd and unbelievable, considering the steadily rising prices of commodities.

“Where are the inspectors of our palengke, supermarkets and sari-sari stores? Our people suffer from price gouging, hoarding and smuggling, while officials speak of ‘budget meals’ detached from the struggles of the poor,” he said.

He said the government should take concrete action to lower the prices of commodities.

And instead of foisting on the public a farcical perspective of Noche Buena, the government should stop the corruption in the flood control projects.

“I call upon our leaders: do not focus on suggesting unrealistic budgets. Address the deeper issues of corruption, hoarding and neglect instead of prescribing ‘budget meals,’” Santos said.

“Do not control the food of the people while failing to control the floods that destroy their homes. Let justice and compassion guide your service,” he added.

To the Catholic faithful, he said that even if with a simple Noche Buena this year, their hearts should still be abundant in love and their families rich in faith. “For the true feast of Christmas is not in the abundance of dishes, but in the presence of Christ who comes to dwell among us.”