By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Cognizant of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure affordability of holiday food items, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced the release of the 2025 Noche Buena price guide.
This catalog of various products consumed during the Christmas season provides retailers with a reference point in pricing goods on store shelves, and enables the agency to weed out non-compliant establishments.
Of the 256 holiday food items across 14 categories, 129 retained their prices, while 95 posted minimal increases due to higher costs of ingredients, packaging, and labor.
The guide also presents new categories, such as nata de coco and kaong, to reflect the growing demand for dessert ingredients.
DTI’s talks with manufacturers also led to a price drop on six items, with four ham products reverting back to their 2024 prices and select queso de bola and spaghetti sauce will now be sold at prices even lower than last year.
Secretary Cristina Roque said in a statement, “With the price freeze in effect for basic necessities and the adjusted prices reflected in the new price guide, the DTI continues to carry out the President’s call to keep basic necessities and prime commodities, and holiday goods within reach of Filipino families.”
The 2025 Noche Buena price guide likewise reflects the government’s response to the plight of Filipinos affected by natural disasters in recent months.
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