PAGASA is a partner of show organizer Philfoodex in the set-up of the Philippine Food Expo from 20-22 April 2018 at the SMX in Pasay City.  The Show has gone a long way from its early years at the SM Megamall’s Mega Trade Hall. STC bumped into Bicol’s retail magnate Romeo Tan of the LCC Group checking out new products with interest. One< exhibitor brewed beer called Pinatubo from Angeles and the different ales come in very creative labels.

On 18 April 2018, DTI Head Office called a Meeting for food manufacturers, food retailers and concerned Regional Heads of DTI to discuss preparations regarding food supply in the event that “The Big One” strikes.  Key resource person is DOST Usec. and Phivolcs Chief Renato Solidum, Jr. who has been “preaching” about the coming of “The Big One” for the last 2 decades.  Map with the red spot will be most hard hit> this is Metro Manila. The fault line has extended out to Bulacan/Pampanga and the Laguna/Rizal areas; thus, the need to prepare for its unpredictable coming. For this purpose, Metro Manila is subdivided into 4 quadrants separated by entry/exit points to unaffected areas which may provide food/shelter to affected MM residents.  This is the second of a series of meetings on this controversial but critical topic.

April 6, 2018 Cong. Hearing on review of Retail Lib. Law as proposed by Rep. Arthur Yap of the province of Bohol.

PRA called a meeting with PAGASA and A.C. Nielsen to discuss the topics and speakers for the Supermarket Break-out Session at this year’s National Retail Conf. & Exhibition to be held in August at the SMX in Pasay City. The lunch meeting was held at the Golden Cowrie Resto inside the new Podium at Ortigas Center.  Meeting was held on 5 April 2018 with (clockwise) STC, PRA Asst. Sec.- Gen. Bing Miranda, PRA Sec.-Gen. Evelyn Balmeo-Salire, Supermarket Track Leader Aira V., A.C. Nielsen’s Maria Angelica Carolina and its Managing Director Patrick Cua. STC broached the idea of bringing in Mr. Chilam from Beijing (whom he just met in Chiba, Japan recently) as this young guy was operating unmanned supermarkets relatively successfully. He is spreading his idea now to his partners in Japan, Taiwan and Korea.