A social media influencer, Abel Barrientos, recently took on the P21 meal challenge in the Philippines, showcasing the difficulties of living on a limited budget in a now-viral video. Barrientos, who craved sinigang, a popular Filipino dish, documented his attempt to buy ingredients with only P21 in his pocket.
In the video, Barrientos expressed shock at the rising cost of pork, which is now priced at P340 per kilo. “Tapos nagpahiwa ako ng maliit na hiwa, grae tapos P34 pesos na yun,” he shared, explaining how he had to halve the portion to fit his budget.
With only P19 left, he carefully selected vegetables, including a P5 eggplant, a P3 chili pepper, and a strand of kangkong for P1. Other items included a P3 tomato, a P2 onion, and a P2 okra, ultimately exhausting his P21 budget. However, the meal did not include rice or transportation costs, which Barrientos noted as significant additional expenses.
“Masarap naman sya. Mabubuhay naman kayo sa gulay. Kaso hindi na ako magkakanin kasi nga kulang na sa budget,” he quipped, highlighting the challenge of meeting basic needs within such a tight budget.
The video, which has garnered 1.5 million views on Facebook, underscores the ongoing debate about the adequacy of the National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) estimated daily food budget. NEDA’s estimate of P21 per meal or P63 per person per day has faced criticism, particularly from senators questioning its realism in light of rising food prices.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan acknowledged the need to review the government’s poverty threshold, considering the recent inflationary pressures, particularly on rice prices. “Obviously, doon lang, talagang ubos na ‘yung P20 per (meal),” Balisacan noted.