As families prepare for Christmas Eve, shoppers in Pangasinan are feeling the strain of rising vegetable prices, forcing many to budget more carefully ahead of Noche Buena.

In Mangaldan, Pangasinan, early shoppers like Elma Idio went to the public market days before Christmas to buy vegetables for their holiday spread. She said prices are noticeably higher this year, making budgeting more difficult.

“Bina-budget talaga ang pera ngayon. Mahirap kapag mag-budget, talagang kailangan magtipid,” she said.

Based on monitoring at the Mangaldan Public Market as of December 23, 2025, several vegetables posted steep prices.

Bell pepper now sells for about ₱500 per kilo, while siling labuyo has surged to as high as ₱800 per kilo. Sayote, repolyo, and Benguet or Baguio beans also recorded significant increases, with prices reaching ₱150, ₱100, and ₱200 per kilo, respectively.

Vendors said supply shortages, partly caused by recent typhoons, continue to affect prices.

Jessie Aquino, a vegetable seller, noted how drastic the increase has become.

“Mahal ang gulay ngayon. Biro mo, ang kamatis 200, ’yung sili ang taas ng presyo, sobra,” he said.

The price hike is not limited to vegetables. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 1 reported a slight increase in the price of ham, a staple of Filipino Christmas celebrations.

According to DTI Assistant Director Natalia Dalaten, some brands raised prices by a few pesos.

“May mga ham na ang brand ay nagtaas ang presyo, may 2 pesos and maximum ay 4 pesos ang itinaas,” she said.

With prices rising, authorities continue to remind consumers to stay vigilant and practical when shopping. They advise buyers to check prices carefully and prepare a shopping list to ensure that only essential items are purchased during the holiday season.