MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said families can still prepare a modest noche buena spread for about P500, as more than half of holiday food items maintained their prices despite cost pressures on ingredients, packaging, and labor.
In its latest holiday price guide, the agency reported that 129 out of 256 monitored items retained their prices while 95 posted minimal increases.
The updates form part of the government’s effort to keep Christmas essentials affordable in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive.
DTI secretary Cristina Roque stated that P500 could already cover basic items for a simple Christmas meal — including ham, macaroni salad, and spaghetti — depending on the number of people who will partake in the meal.
“Kung tutuusin P500 makakabili na kayo ng ham, makagawa ka na ng macaroni salad, ng spaghetti, depende rin po yan kung ilan yung taong kakain,” said Roque.
DTI also announced price rollbacks on six noche buena staples following consultations with manufacturers.
These include CDO American Style Ham 500g, reduced from P174 to P170; King Sue Piña Ham 800g, from P527 to P520; King Sue Piña Ham 1kg, from P643 to P637; King Sue Sweet Ham 800g, from P450 to P449; Danes Queso de Bola 500g, from P310 to P300; and Sunshine Sweet Style Spaghetti Sauce 500g, from P52 to P48.50.
“With the price freeze in effect for basic necessities and the updated holiday price guide, the DTI continues to implement the President’s call to keep essential goods and holiday items within reach of Filipino families,” Roque said.
Consumers may access the full price list on the DTI website and its official Facebook page./PN
