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.

Just like the past few years, this year’s Agrilink filled up all the halls and parking lots of the World Trade Center with exhibitors and visitors.  Even before the Opening Ceremonies, the registration areas were filled with dignitaries and VIPs to the rim.  PAGASA being an active Co-Organizer of this biggest Agri-Business Show, was represented by its President, Steven T. Cua.  This year’s highlighted sector in agriculture is the sugar industry.  As such, Rosemarie Gumera of the Sugar Regulatory Authority gave her opening remarks with DA Usec. Evelyn Laviña (in pic with STC and FRLD Agrilink’s Pres. Antonio Roces) and Senator Cynthia Villar on stage.  STC is seen huddling at the Opening Ceremonies on 6 October 2016 with the five pillars of FRLD Agrilink : Chairwoman Dulce Gozon, Pres. Tony Roces, Frank Panahon, Lino Perez and Mike Unson III.