In December of 2005, the United Nations Environment Program (based in Paris) launched their Asian drive to promote sustainable development globally through retailers. The UNEP believed that retailers were strategic as mediators between suppliers (whose packaging efforts affect the environment critically) and consumers (whose actions will totally affect the environment of this world). They invited retailers from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to spearhead this drive. The Philippine delegation to this one-day seminar in Kuala Lumpur included (from left) Alan Cajes of Development Academy of the Phils., Manuel Alberto of Shopwise, Josephine Abanto/consultant, Steven Cua of PAGASA (3RD from left), Evelyn Salire of the Phil. Retailers Assn. and Norma Hernandez of the Dept. of Trade & Industry/Bureau of Product Standards. With them are Mandar Parasnis (UNEP Consultant from India), Bas de Leeuw (Head of the Strategy Unit for Production & Consumption of the UNEP)

We are requestiong all current members to send their e-mail address to secretariat@pagasa.org.ph for inclusion in the members mailing list. The mailing list will be used to send out notices and for discussion of any topic that may concern the member and the industry. Please don't forget to include your name, updated address and phone numbers for inclusion in our directory. Members are also encouraged to signup for an account on the website. We will be setting up a members only content for the benefit of the members. Thank you. UPDATE: Due to the number of non-PAGASA members signing up for an account, we have disabled the automatic registration. Instead, please email SECRETARIAT with your preferred login name and we'll send you your account password.

The PAGASA Board of Directors 2006 - 2007 had its 1st meeting last November 7, 2005 at the Mati Greek Restaurant in Rockwell, Makati. During the meeting, the board elected from among themselves the officers for the term 2006 - 2007. Elected on his fourth term as president is Steven Cua from Welcome Supermart, Roy Chua of Daily Supermart is elected as Vice President and PRO, Karl Marxist Tan of Super Palengke as Secretary and William Villanueva of Purity Supermarket as Treasurer. The rest of the Board of Directors includes Edgar Robles of Susana Mart, Edmund Cua of Royal Family Supermart, Llansel Sy of Liana's Supermart, Robert Tan of Watson's Supermart, Virgilio Del Mundo of RFC Supermarket,

PAGASA attended the Expanded Senior Citizens Discount on Agricultural products consultation hosted by the Department of Agriculture last November 7, 2005. The forum held at the Apacible Hall of the Department of Agriculture was led by DA Assistant Secretary Romeo S. Recide

The following article is PAGASA's position on Executive Order 51 (Breastmilk Supplements and Related Products). 1. Given today's busy lifestyle for urbanites, working mothers must given a choice on how to feed her infant when she cannot, because of work schedules or career requirements (i.e., assigned to a post out-of-town or out of the country), breastfeed her child. These modern-day heroes shuffling as mothers and professionals should be provided access to breastmilk substitutes to assure that the delicate balance of providing the needed nourishment to their child and getting their work done is achieved. One may say that these young mothers will have to make a choice to stay at home as mothers or stay childless to advance their careers. This seems to sound fine but will surely not hold water for today's young (especially urbanite) female adults who want to shuffle between work and motherhood. This sounds like work/sexual discrimination at the workplace. A

 Philippine Retailers Conference 2005 Aug 17 - 19, 2005 EDSA Shangrila Mandaluyong City

The Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA) joined the Department of Agriculture during its launch of the Pork in a Box Project at the grounds of the Department of Agriculture in Quezon City this June 10, 2005. The launch was opened by DA NMIC Director Efren Nuestro who gave the welcome remarks. DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup addressed the audience on the Pork in the Box Project of the government. The Pork in a Box Project aims to deliver clean but cheaper pork to the public. The pork is processed in the port of origin such as General Santos and blast freezed before transported to Metro Manila. This eliminates the cost of feeds while transporting the hogs from the province as well as the risk of the animals dying during the transporation. Mr. Albert Lim, president of the National Hog Raisers Association, Marvin Buenaflor and PAGASA President Steven Cua also gave speeches endorsing the Pork in a Box Project. PAGASA was also represented b

  We applaud the respect accorded to the senior citizens of our society but would like to bring up the following points regarding the guidelines to implement Rule V, Section 14 of the IRR of R.A, 9257, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act 2003. 1.) Section 3. Supermarkets or Food Retailers can never afford to offer the 20% discount to senior citizens noble as the act may seem. The Supermarket Industry averages around 3 to 5% mark-up for basic necessities and prime commodities especially for PAGASA members who cater to the mass market. This privilege for senior citizens is from the very beginning destined to be abused by the unscrupulous in our society be they senior citizens or not. 2.) Section 3�..�for the exclusive use of the senior citizens.� This premise will find difficulty in practice as anyone accompanying a senior citizen entitled to the proposed discounts may misuse/abuse the privilege of the said senior citizen by asking the latter to buy the

 Senior citizens are now qualified for a five percent discount on the prices of basic commodities aside from medicines, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday said. Basic goods such as canned sardines, canned tuna, coffee and powdered filled milk bought from groceries by senior citizens should be discounted by five percent, according to RA 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, the DSWD said. Also included in the discount are bread, white and brown sugar, cooking oil, instant noodles, luncheon meats, meat loaves, corned beef, preserved or ready-to-cook pork, beef and chicken, and laundry soap. The law punishes violators with a fine or imprisonment. DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said that to avail themselves of the discount, senior citizens should get a purchase booklet from the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in their city or municipal hall, and these booklets will be used for every purchase of the products. Soliman also s

 It is without a doubt that Instant Noodles have become basic staple for the lower echelon of the income strata. Studies by survey groups as well by A.C. Nielsen all point to Instant Noodles as one of the top ten items sold at any food retail outlet or supermarket. Investigative journalism in tri-media all point to the same findings. By this token, the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA) pose no objection to including Locally Manufactured Instant Noodles in the basket of goods considered as Basic Necessity thereby amending the Price Act. Last Updated ( Saturday, 15 March 2008 )

 The Department of Agriculture has called for a consultation meeting with the private sectors for its project called Pork in a box. The meeting was held last April 4, 2005 at the Conference Room of the National Meat Inspection Service branch of the Department of Agriculture. The Pork in a Box project aims to reduce post production losses, reduce the cost of shipment of the products, reduce risk of disease transmission, improve meat quality and safety of pork and pork products and to reduce the cost of pork products in the market. The project is headed by NMIS Executive Director Dr. Efren C. Nuestro. Participants to the meeting included representatives from the Livestock Traders Association, Mr. Francisco Buencamino from PAMPI, a meat processing association, cold chain association president Mr. Anthony Dizon, Mr. Albert Lim from the hog farmers association, Mr. Jesus Cham from the meat importers and traders association, Mr. Steven Cua and Mr. William Villanueva represen

 Mr. Roy Chua of Daily Supermart was appointed by the Board of Directors of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA) as its vice president. The position was originally held by Mr. Edgardo Madrazo of Newlife Supermart who has resigned from his position as he and his family will be migrating to Canada. In a unanimous decision by the board of directors during the general meeting of PAGASA held at the Italianni's Restaurant at Libis, Quezon City last April 1, 2005. Due to the responsibilities of the vice president of the organization, there is the urgent need to fill in the vacancy. The vice president of PAGASA had the responsibility to represent the organzation and the industry as a whole in meetings with the government sector including the Department of Trade and Industry , Department of Agriculture , etc. Mr. Chua will hold his term of office until the next election of officers which will be held sometime in September, 2005.

 Welcome to the website of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarket Association (PAGASA). This Association of Amalgamated (meaning united) Supermarkets was born in 1986 with the purpose of establishing rapport and harmonious relationship among operators of supermarkets serving the masses (class B, C, D market) in order to promote and safeguard their interest and that of the consuming public. The Association also aims to maintain communications and represent the private sector with the different government agencies as well as other organizations in and out of the Philippines.