Despite increased prices, public rush to buy lechon for Noche Buena

Despite the increased prices of lechon (roast whole pig), people are rushing to buy the traditional holiday staple on Tuesday to complete their Noche Buena on Christmas Eve.

According to Glen Juego’s report on SuperRadyo dzBB, stores in La Loma, Quezon City remain busy hours before the annual holiday gathering as people placed their orders despite the price hike.

Prices of lechon at the country’s “lechon capital” increased this year and now ranges from P7,000 to P15,000.

But rows of the golden crispy lechon are being constantly being restocked every hour as customers purchase them for tonight's Noche Buena. 

“Hindi naman siya gaanong nagmahal. Although medyo lumiit lang nang kaunti yung lechon, pero yung presyo naman, ganoon pa rin naman, may mga P8,000, P10,000 ng mga halaga,” said La Loma Lechonera Association president William Chua in Raffy Tima’s report in 24 Oras. 

(It did not increase that much. Although the sizes of lechon slightly grew smaller, the prices did not change that much as you can still order from P8,000 to P10,000.) 

The prices of lechon are still reasonable because the pigs are sourced from the backyard hog raisers. But prices increased due to the meticulous cooking process, the report said.

In Nimfa Ravelo’s report, customers for lechon in Baclaran, Parañaque City did not mind the increase in prices, saying they want to make their Noche Buena more special.

“Para lang mairaos yung Pasko ngayon,” a lechon buyer said. “Request kasi kaya wala tayong magagawa kapag may ganoong [request] mula sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. Minsan lang naman sa isang taon ‘yun.”

(So we can just get by this Christmas…It was a request from our loved ones. But if you would think of it, this just happens once a year.)

According to Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, less than half of the traditional Noche Buena items have seen price increases compared to last year.

“For the Noche Buena items, we don’t have… More than  50% had the same prices last year, meaning no price increase siya from last year. Tapos meron mga iba na nag-increase sila, pero (some increased, but it's) less than 5%,” Roque said.

Health warning 

The Department of Health, on the other hand, warned the public to be careful when consuming fatty foods that includes lechon. 

While it is tempting to eat heartily this holiday, everything should be balanced, the DOH said. 

“So ang ating pinggan, dapat kalahati  ay prutas at gulay, ang 1/4 lamang ay ang carbohydrates o yung kanin at pansit, tapos yung 1/4 yung ating lechon, hamon, etc.,” said DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo. 

(On our plates, half of it should be occupied by fruits or vegetables, ¼ should be carbohydrates like rice or noodles, and the other ¼ is meat like lechon, ham, etc.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News