Since Congress has passed on third hearing the Bill on Hoarding of Coins, the BSP thought it prudent to engage all stakeholders regarding this Bill to ask as to what levels constitutes “hoarding of coins.” PAGASA and other fellow retailers were one in opining that the word “hoarding” seems misleading as the feeling is one of constant  lack of coins in general circulation. Discussions veered towards ways to encourage the public to part with coins stashed inside households. The Meeting was held on the afternoon of 25 June 2014 at the highly-secured BSP Security Plant Complex along East Ave., QC.

  On 24 June 2014, the Phil. Retailers Assn. held its 2 nd Quarterly General Meeting at the brand-new Marco Polo Hotel at the Ortigas  Center (still to be launched on 7 July!). PAGASA was represented by STC. Google Asia’s Justin Keh presented on the evolving significance of online presence as consumers today “search” before they actually buy. A.C. Nielsen also presented on how to attract the growing and changing consumers belonging to the middle-income sector.

DTI Sec. Gregory Domingo, acting as Chairman of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) calls an Emergency Meeting in view of uptick of prices for rice, sugar, garlic and chicken among others. He is supported by DTI Usec. Victorio Mario Dimagiba, DA Asec. Leandro Gazmin (concurrent head of the Agri-Marketing Assistance Services <AMAS>) and DTI-NCR’s Arch. Ferdinand Manfoste.  The NPCC is made up of all concerned government agencies that have to do with the movement of prices of basic necessities and prime commodities like DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA)and the National Food Authority (NFA), BSP, DOE, LTFRB, DOJ, PAGASA (the Weather Bureau) and the like. It also includes Industry Organizations like PAGASA, NAMVESCO (Market Vendors Org’n.), Phil. Assn. of Hog Raisers/Poultry & Broiler Org’ns., Phil. Assn. of Meat Processors and major manufacturers whose products are categorized as market leaders.  STC brings up the ...

On 14 June 2014, STC was invited as guest at “Konsumer, atbp.,” a one-and-a-half-hour program hosted by newly-appointed DTI Usec. Atty. Victorio Dimagiba & Alvin Elchico.  This episode discussed prices of basic necessities/prime commodities during school opening and the supply of Sugar, etc. Beside STC is Sugar Regulatory Commission’s Rosemarie Gumera.

SIAL is a 50-year old French Company in the Events Industry.  It holds only one B-2-B tradefair  in each  continent but made an exception in Asia where it has held this Event in Shanghai during the last decade. They decided to hold one for South East Asia given its emerging markets and have handpicked Manila for this purpose. Japanese, Korean, European, Indonesian, Chinese, American traders were represented at the Show looking for distributors/buyers for their products/produce. This is a joint venture between SIAL and MAFBEX which also held its Show simultaneously at the Tent beside the World Trade Center. STC takes a shot with Bjoern Kempe/ GM for SIAL Asia and Joanne Cook/ Reg. Dir. Of SIAL ASEAN.  He also discusses with DA Sec. Proceso Alcala who was Guest of Honor (together with Sen. Cynthia Villar who heads the Agriculture Committee in the Senate) regarding the recent high prices of garlic. At PAGASA’s booth, STC is in a huddle with Mark...

On 11 June 2014, Dr. V.J. Sebastian, Associate Prof. for Economic Environment Strategy of the Institute of Management Technology (a Business Graduate School located in Ghaziabad, India) visited the PAGASA Office to interview Steve Cua regarding the Philippine experience on the road to retail liberalization. India is still deliberating whether to open up retailing to global players.

  On 4 June 2014, the organizers of Agrilink, Foodlink, Aqualink 2014 (Show in October) called for the 1 st Co-organizers Meeting to plan for this year’s upcoming Trade Show. Jake Lu (sitting at head of table in white and blue polo shirt) heads as Chairman for this edition of Agrilink. He is Chairman Emeritus of Citra Mina Group of Companies. AGRILINK is the biggest Agri-business Trade Show in the country.  PAGASA was invited to chair this Show back in 2007.