Aiko Melendez Explodes in Rage Over DTI’s P500 Noche Buena Claim
AIKO MELENDEZ – Actress and councilor Aiko Melendez has ignited fierce public debate after strongly criticizing the DTI’s claim that a P500 budget is enough for a Filipino family’s Noche Buena.
Award-winning actress and Quezon City councilor Aiko Melendez has joined the growing number of Filipinos expressing outrage over the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) controversial P500 Noche Buena package. The issue has sparked widespread criticism online, with many questioning how a Filipino family could realistically prepare a Christmas Eve meal with such a limited budget.
For days, Filipinos—including several celebrities—have been criticizing the DTI’s claim that families can still put together a simple Noche Buena feast for just P500. The backlash intensified after DTI Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque reiterated her stance that it is possible for Filipino households to celebrate despite the rising prices of goods.
“The Noche Buena celebration or Noche Buena handa will depend on the number of family members or even extended relatives that will be joining the Noche Buena celebration,” Roque said in defense of the agency’s recommendation. However, instead of easing public frustration, her explanation only fueled the heated discussion online, with many netizens insisting that the amount is unrealistic given the current cost of basic holiday items.
Unable to contain her reaction, Aiko Melendez publicly responded to Roque’s statement through a strongly worded Facebook post. As both a public servant and a long-time figure in the entertainment industry, Aiko did not hold back in expressing how out of touch she felt the proposal was.
“P500 Noche Buena package?!!! Saan po makakabili niyan? Wag n’yo pong insultuhin ang mga Pilipino. Naku po. Queso de Bola? Holen size po ba ito?” she wrote, using sarcasm to highlight the impracticality of the DTI’s suggestion. Her remarks quickly gained traction, resonating with many who feel the government should be more empathetic to the financial struggles of ordinary families, especially during the holiday season.
As criticism continues to mount, the P500 Noche Buena issue has become a symbol of broader concerns over inflation, purchasing power, and the disconnect between policymakers and the everyday realities of Filipinos trying to celebrate Christmas amid economic challenges.
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