The Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association was invited on 28 Aug. 2015 to the DTI Offices to meet with the newly-appointed Director for Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (DTI-CPAB) Atty. Anselmo B. Adriano (at the head of the table). Also there were the Presidents/Heads of the Phil. Consumer-Centric Traders Assn. (PCCTA) Carlito Cabochan (stressing a point by the white board), the Phil. Chamber of Food Manufacturers, the Phil. Assn. of Meat Pr ocesso rs, Inc. (PAMPI), the Phil. Ass. of Canned Fish Producers, the Truckers Assn. and the FDA.   The good Director appealed to the participants to explore the idea of rolling back prices of some of their products given the fact that lowered world prices for fuel have resulted in the rollback of local fuel prices.

Ms. Aya Lowe of Channel News Asia visited the office of PAGASA’s Steve Cua to interview him about the state of supermarkets for a news package she is working on regarding the economic outlook of the Philippines. Ms. Lowe asked for a SWOT Analysis of the industry on 26 Aug. 2015.

On 25 Aug. 2015, PAGASA’s STC was invited as a resource  person to the Senate Hearing chaired by the Head of the Committee on Entrepreneurship, Trade & Industry (Sen. Paolo Benigno “BAM” Aquino IV) and attended by Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara. The Hearing focused on the proposed Digital Updates of  stipulations under the current Consumer Act of the Philippines like laws governing online businesses, etc.  It also delved on the Exact Change Bill in Congress. Represented at the meeting were the SEC, BSP, FDA, the Makati Business Club, the Ad Standards Council, Puregold and the Phil. Coalition for Consumer Welfare among others. 

The major movers of the Buy Pinoy Movement launced its 27 th Exporters Fair at the Activity Center of Glorietta 2 on 17 Aug. 2015.  At the Opening Ceremonies were representatives from the Phil. Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Federation of Fil-Chi. Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Sergio Luis-Ortiz of Philexport, Roberto C. Amores/Pres.-Phil. Food Processors & Exporters Organization, Inc. (Philfoodex) and PAGASA’s STC among many others. SME’s were given a chance to show their wares to serious buyers and shoppers at the Mall.

PAGASA held its 3 rd Quarter GenMeet at David’s Tea House located at A. Venue along Makati Avenue. Host for the evening is Shelf Solutions, Inc. which presented Members with a very interesting proposal on in-store advertising which not only improves the store’s bottom-line but also boosts the brand equity of major suppliers. On this eve of 12 Aug. 2015, latest strategic moves by major retail players as well as evolving trends in the industry were discussed.

On 10 Aug. 2015, PAGASA’s STC was invited to a round-table discussion at EDSA Shangrila on the future of the product called cigarettes and how they will look on the shelves of supermarkets. Reduced Risk Products is how manufacturers call these next generation products which will take the place of combustible cigarettes. Including presentations on the findings of R&D from prestigious research institutions globally, discussions centered on the acceptability of these RRP’s.  Participating at this RTD is (2/R) Peter Wallace/President- Economist  Intelligence Unit (EIU Ltd.).