PAGASA’s STC was invited as guest at the early morning program Umagang Kay Ganda” which airs on ABS-CBN Ch.2 in the morning of 21 Dec. 2016.  With the regular hosts of the program, STC explained the supply and demand situation and steady prices of goods and commodities prevailing in the market.  He also asked the public to shop now and not wait for the last minute Christmas rush to avoid the heavy traffic and parking problems that bring about stress in the metropolis during shopping seasons like these.  He also reminded the public, in behalf of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, to bring out all their old series bills as these will not be considered legal tender come 2017.

On 6 Dec. 2016, PAGASA Pres. Steven Cua was invited to give a briefing of the Food Retail Industry to an audience filled with the academe and officers from the private and public sector.  Entitled “What Lies Ahead for Food and Agribusiness: Challenges and Expectations” and held at the Li Seng Gap Auditorium of the University of Asia and the Pacific’s APEC Bldg., the speakers included UA&P’s Exec. Dir. for the Center for Food & Agribusiness Dr. Rolando Dy, the Planning Manager of the Sugar Regulatory Admin. Rosemarie Gumera, Harbest Agribusiness Corp.’s Pres. Arsenio Barcelona, Pork Producers Federation of the Phils.’ Pres. Edwin Chen and Land Bank of the Phils.’ President/CEO Alex Buenaventura. (L-R) Ms. Gumera, Dr. Dy, Mr. Barcelona and STC sits on stage for the Open Forum portion of the event.

PAGASA sets up its booth at the 3 rd SIAL Asean Show from 31 May to 2 June 2016 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.  Pres. STC makes his rounds at the Grand Opening on Day 1 and exchange food notes with the an officer from the Israeli Embassy and His Excellency Ambassador Truong Trieu Duong of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam who visited PAGASA’s  Booth together with his hard-working Commercial Counselor Ms. Vu Viet Nga. The Tradeshow was also one place to meet up-and-coming supermarket suppliers like Mr. Norman John G. Cordoves of Golden Arrow Food Enterprises>makers of Norman Baker local quality delicacies (at PAGASA Booth) from Laguna.

PAGASA’s STC was invited as guest to the Teleradyo program, Konsumer, ATBP. DZMM on the morning of 3 December 2016. Anchored by Alvin Elchico and DTI Usec. Ted Pascua, the episode discussed the issues to be contended with in the coming Yuletide Season since the Peso’s value has been slipping against the Dollar and world oil prices are beginning to increase. Also guests that morning were DA Usec. Engr. Ariel T. Cayanan/Operations and PRDP Nat. Proj. Dir., DTI Asec. Lilian G. Salonga and Dept. of Energy’s Div. Chief Melita Obillo.  The lively discussion hopefully shed light on concerns of the buying public regarding what’s to come for supplies and prices of fresh produce, basic necessities and prime commodities.  

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) under the DOH invited supermarkets to its Alabang Head Office to orient them regarding market authorizations; existing rules and regulations; and matters that supermarkets may wish to clarify with the FDA.  At the Conf. Room of the Center for Cosmetics Regulation and Research building on 29 November 2016, Product Research Div. Chief Rhoda Manaloto (beside STC) and Licensing & Regulatory Div. Chief Ma. Theresa Gutierrez (beside Ms. Manaloto) took charge of the briefing together with Juan Paolo Toolete (briefing the group), Roda Pascua of the Device Division and others. Attendees included representatives from SM, Puregold, Robinsons, Waltermart, Super 8, PAGASA and others.

In the morning of 28 Nov. 2016, the Technical Working Group for the new “No Shortchange Act” met for the fourth time (and the first time after consultative public hearings were held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).  The TWG was honored by the presence of new DTI Usec. Ted Pascua as he chaired over the meeting to straighten out issues brought to fore from the regional public hearings.  PAGASA’s STC and PCCTA’s Carling Cabochan were the only two representatives from the private sector to attend this Meeting (the rest were all from DTI’s different divisions except for BSP’s Roy R. Hernandez). There appeared difficulty in the enforcement of this law as nearing the completion of the crafting of its Internal Rules and Regulations (IRR), gray areas (contradicting laws) make implementation both cumbersome and troublesome.

The City Government of Quezon City introduced at a hearing just some four days earlier a bill for an Ordinance increasing real estate tax on certain areas in the city of up to 500%!  Of course, attendees to this hearing were alarmed and decided to organize a Consultative Hearing with a wider audience for businesses which will be affected by this “preposterous” bill.  Held on the evening of 11/16/16 at the newly-opened Panay Kain, Tulog, ATBP.’s Mandarin Wok Restaurant and hosted by the Q.C. Association of Fil-Chinese Businessmen, Inc. (supported heavily by the Phil. Chamber of Commerce & Industry-QC Chapter), PAGASA was represented by William Villanueva, Fred Gravador, STC and Desmond Chua (who is also a VP for QCAFCBI).  Other Business Organizations were also represented that evening. Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte got hold of this meeting and sent her City Assessor and relevant Councilors/Sponsors of said Bill to the Meeting to defend their proposal for increase in Real Esta

For the fourth Congress in a row since the 14 th Congress, PAGASA presented its position with regards to the use of plastic bags in supermarkets and its impact on the country’s economy as well as the it’s ecology.  Of course, after various improvements on its position as a result of developments in sustainability worldwide, PAGASA was able to present and submit a more coherent Position Paper to a more receptive Committee on Ecology in Congress headed by its sharp and efficient Chair of the Committee, Congresswoman Estrellita Bito-Onon Suansing of Nueva Ecija.  Among one of the sponsors of this Bill is former pres. & now Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (seated beside Ms. Suansing). The decision Of the Committee at this Hearing set on 16 Nov. 2016 seems to lean more towards regulation rather than ban of plastic bags as a solution to the problem of improper disposal of said bags leading eventually towards gradual phase-out of disposable bags in lieu of reusabl

On 15 Nov. 2016, Señor Alberto Hurtado/Export Area Manager who is charge of business development (for Asia) for Adam Foods’ biscuit lines met with PAGASA’s STC as introduced by former Senior DTI Usec. Thomas Aquino at Annabel’s in Q.C.  Señor Hurtado was interested to understand market trends and consumer behavior in modern trade for his line of products.

The Asia-Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Phil. Platform (A-PADPh) held a 3-day workshop at the Hive Hotel in QC on a program that will capacitate MSMEs to ensure that they are able to continue providing much needed products and services to the community with the least disruption when hazards strike. Workshop was held on 3-5 Nov. 2016 by Ms. Elna Corazon Jazmines/Reg. Coordinator for Luzon and will be replicated for MSMEs in the Visayas and Mindanao. The Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to be drafted by participants themselves will provide scenarios and options to MSMEs when calamity strikes so that they themselves do not become victims instead of providers during times of emergency.

FRLD or Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, Inc.>event organizer of “Agrilink, Foodlink, Aqualink” and long-time partner of PAGASA for this biggest Agri-Business Trade Show> holds its 2 nd Co-organizers’ Breakfast Meeting at Annabel’s Restaurant along Tomas Morato on 27 Oct. 2016. Every year, it holds four of these Meetings to calibrate and make adjustments to make sure that the Show is as exciting and jam-packed as it was the previous years. This year’s thrust is the Sugar Industry.

The members of the Phil. Amalgamated Supermarkets Association met on the eve of 10/26/16 to discuss the current economic conditions and upcoming Yuletide Season and how commodities’ supplies and prices may be affected in view of the controversial statements by the president and the perception of instability in the country’s politico-economy. Also discussed were the newly passed No Short Changing Act of 2016 and the upcoming Sugar Sweetened Beverages Tax being introduced in Congress as initiated by the Department of Finance for additional government collections.  As usual, the meeting proceeded deep into the night and since the venue was open 24-hours, STC had to convince the members time and again that it was time to call it a day and get some rest for the next day’s activities!

On 26 Oct. 2016, PAGASA was invited to the Megatrade Halls to view world-class crafts as exhibited by select ethnic arts & crafts masters nationwide. This exhibit is a Sikat Pinoy project of the Department of Trade & Industry under Director Rhodora Leaño (lady in red blazer) beside STC.  Guest of Honor is Sen. Loren Regina Bautista Legarda and His Excellency Ambassador Thierry Mathou (in black tie) and wife of the French Embassy in Manila.

On 24 Oct. 2016, DTI held a public hearing at its Manila office to get the final inputs of stakeholders for the Internal Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the “No Short Changing Act of 2016.” Present were representatives from the legal department of various retailers. BSP had to defend itself with the ample supply of small denomination coins being issued yearly but lacking in proper circulation for retailers to use.  Seated beside STC are Fishermall’s Eric Manuel (in white) and Mercury’s Atty. Edsel Manuel. An Act has 60 days from enactment to complete its IRR for proper implementation/enforcement. DTI set a series of regional meetings to get retailers’ input on this matter.

From the inception and launching of DTI’s Bagwis Awards 10 years ago, PAGASA has been a partner of this award by serving as part of the Board of Jurors when nominees for this Award are submitted to DTI regional offices. On 21 October 2016, DTI celebrates this Seal of Good Retail Practices a big way at the Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel. In front of the stage, (L-R) Ms. Josephine Palomo/Dir. Consumer Protection and Advocacy Group (CPAG), STC and Asst. Dir. Lilian Salonga. Bagwis stands for “wings” of a great aviator scaling unreachable heights.

Ms. Claudia Li-Ting You (2R), Market Researcher from Taipei’s Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) dropped by PAGASA’s office on 20 October 2016 with her mom (R) and Taiwan Trade Center Manila’s Victoria Tiuseco as part  of her 18-day study of the Philippine market. Her SWOT Analysis will be used to present her government with strategies to further develop business opportunities between the two countries in all fields and industries. 

On its first meeting for the 17 th Congress of the Committee on Ecology under new Chair Rep. Estellita Bito-Onon Suansing of Nueva Ecija, the stakeholders under this Committee got the chance to acquaint themselves on the issues facing sustainable development in this country.  PAGASA’s STC was seated beside the honorable representatives of the Lower House (L-R) Reps. Lord Alan Jay Velasco/Marinduque, Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba/Bukidnon, Sol Aragones/3 rd Dist. Laguna, Jennifer Austria-Barzaga/4 th Dist. Cavite and Arlene B. Arcilles/1 st Dist. Laguna who were all very eager to learn more on how they can contribute to the country’s woes in ecology.  Completing the list of Committee Members in Congress who were present on the afternoon of 10/19/16 were Reps. Carlito S. Marquez/Aklan and Enrico Piñeda of the Partylist 1-PACMAN.  The session focused on the responsibilities of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and how it is addressing the various concerns on material

Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Dakila Carlo E. Cua held its first hearing on the proposal by DOF to collect new taxes in lieu of the last tranche of sin taxes this year.  This is the current administration’s way of making up for its promise to cut down on private and corporate taxes after assumption.  Authors of the bill are spouses Rep. Horacio P. Suansing Jr. (2 nd District, Sultan Kudarat; in white long-sleeved working barong) and Rep. Estrellita Bito-Onon Suansing (1 st District, Nueva Ecija; in dark maroon dress with small polka dots).  The Bill seeks to impose an excise tax of Ten Pesos (Php 10.00) on sugar- sweetened concentrate, powdered or ready-to-drink beverages per liter of volume capacity.  This includes soda, fruit drinks, sport drinks, sweetened tea/coffee drinks, energy drinks and all non-alcoholic beverages.  100% pure fruit/vegetable and yogurt juices are exempted.  So are meal replacement beverages and all milk products and its alternativ

In aid of legislation, PAGASA was with PASI at the third Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting of stakeholders to fine tune the IRR for the “No Shortchange Act of 2016” on 10/17/16 at the DTI Offices.  Questioned were the mechanics by which customers may air their complaints and the penalties, whether they were too heavy or too light.  Members of the TWG were cooperative in coming up with a practical, simplistic and realistic approach on how to make this law work for the consumers, regulators

PAGASA’s STC was delighted to have been invited to act as a Resource Person in the screening of quality local products to be included in the upcoming National Trade Fair at the Megatrade Hall on 7-11 Dec. 2016.  DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) is handling this Project and the Meeting was held at their offices on 13 Oct. 2016.  Most of the products which did not pass the approval of the Screening Team were those with flimsy packaging, lousy labeling and products with questionable quality and continuous availability. BDTP’s Director Ms. Rhodora M. Leaño is the head of this project for the MSME’s.