Gatchalian: P500 Noche Buena budget ‘not realistic’

Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian joined public criticism of the proposed P500 Noche Buena budget, saying it is “not realistic” after Trade Secretary Cristina Roque earlier said it can feed the simplest and typical Filipino family of four.

“Christmas is a celebration, we all know that. I think the P500 Noche Buena budget is unrealistic, especially for a family of five. If you divide that, P100 each. Usually nga, kapag Noche Buena, mas malaki pa (ang gastos). So, hindi realistic yung P500,” he said in a virtual press conference on Monday.

“On the other side, iba-iba ang paraan ng pag-celebrate ng Noche Buena. May iba mas simple, may iba mas magarbo. Pero kung gagawin mo yung pinaka-basic lang, P500 divided by 5 persons, that’s P100 tapos ang Noche Buena concept natin is celebration, tingin ko hindi kakayanin ang P500,” he explained.

Gatchalian said the P500 may cover the cost of fast food meals but stressed that fast food items are not considered part of a traditional Noche Buena feast for a Filipino household.

“Kaya if they will buy meat products, like beef, pork, and chicken, sigurado mas mahal yun sa P100 per person. I think a normal a family, mahihirapang bumili (at pagkasyahin) ang P500 Noche Buena. That’s my analysis,” he stressed.

Secretary Roque, who has drawn heavy backlash online, said last week that the P500 budget was based on the Noche Buena Price Guide released by the department last month, and not a product of their imagination.

“I was asked if P500 is enough for Noche Buena, and that amount did not come from me; it’s from the TV reporter. I said yes, kasya kasi depende yan kung ilang miyembro ang pamilya ang kakain. Kung mother, father, two children, kasya na sya. Eh lalo na kapag isang anak lang. Meron pa mother and son lang, or mother and daughter. Diba ganyan na ngayon ang typical na family,” she said.

She stressed that a family has the freedom to choose how extravagant or simple the Noche Buena is.