By Hannah Torregoza
Senators on Wednesday dared the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) officials to try living on a measly P10,000 a month after floating the idea that a family of five can live decently given with such amount of household budget.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he finds it very hard to believe considering the high cost of goods and services that Filipinos face today.
Recto said NEDA officials should try living off the supposed “hypothetical figure” they calculated for families.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero also found the proposal unthinkable. “Quite frankly, I do not know which planet they are talking about. Because it’s certainly not Metro Manila or the Philippines,” Escudero said.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, for his part, said he believes NEDA’s math is doable.
“Actually, we can (survive) only if my family will eat only once a day, won’t brush our teeth nor take a bath, walk everyday to and from our place of work but avoid perspiring so we won’t wash our clothes,” Lacson said in a separate text message.
“And yes, ask my wife to stop watching her favorite telenovela because I will sell the TV set,” Lacson added.
