19/08/2024
A Taste of Reality: Could You Survive on ₱64 a Day?
By: Sirang Susi
Imagine being told that you could survive on ₱64 a day for your meals. That’s roughly ₱21 per meal—barely enough to buy a small packet of noodles or a handful of vegetables. Yet, some officials from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) seem to think that’s enough to keep a person from falling into poverty. But how realistic is this claim? And more importantly, have these officials ever tried living on such a budget themselves?
Let’s break it down. We all know that prices in the Philippines have been rising, and it’s not just luxury items that are becoming more expensive. Basic necessities like rice, fish, and even vegetables now cost more than they did a few years ago. For many of us, our parents or guardians stretch their budgets to make sure there’s enough food on the table. But with ₱21 per meal, what kind of food could we really expect?
A decent meal should include carbohydrates, protein, and some vegetables—essential components for a balanced diet. But with only ₱21, it’s hard to imagine buying anything that’s both nutritious and filling. Many families, especially those with several members, are already finding it hard to afford three square meals a day. How can ₱64 realistically cover the costs of breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
This claim by NEDA officials seems to overlook the real struggles that many Filipinos face daily. While it’s easy to make such statements from an office where every meal might cost more than the daily budget they suggest, it’s a different story for those living on the edge of poverty. For these officials, numbers on a page might make sense, but they don’t tell the whole story.
So here’s a challenge: Before concluding that ₱64 is enough, why not try living on that amount themselves? Spend a month with a strict budget of ₱64 a day for food. Experience the reality of choosing between a small piece of meat or a bit more rice. Feel the hunger when you realize you can’t afford a decent meal. Document it, share it with the public, and let’s see if they still believe ₱64 is enough.
This isn’t just about proving a point. It’s about understanding what it really means to live on so little. It’s about realizing that economic policies should be based on compassion and a real understanding of what people go through, not just on calculations and theories.
If NEDA officials truly want to help lift people out of poverty, they need to start by acknowledging the harsh realities that many Filipinos face. They should focus on creating policies that make life easier for those struggling to survive, not just those who are already comfortable.
In the end, the goal should be clear: to ensure that every Filipino has access to enough food, education, and opportunities to build a better life. And that starts with understanding what it really means to live on ₱64 a day. After all, how can we expect them to solve the problem if they don’t even know what it feels like?
