A Congressional Hearing was held on 28 January 2020 by the Committee on MSME Dev't. on a proposed bill to require supermarkets to provide 10% space in ones selling area to MSME suppliers for free. I respectfully declined by saying that even without legislation, most supermarkets do provide spaces for free for "deserving" MSME suppliers.

On 27 January 2020, PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua  was invited as a Speaker at the Midas Hotel & Casino by the National Academy on Science & Technology (NAST) for a forum on Single-Use Plastic Bags.  He discussed the pros and cons of using these at supermarkets; that together with other stakeholders, we may come up with a win-win situation.

On 24 January 2020, the City Government of Quezon City headed by Mayor-elect Joy Belmonte held a presscon at Cityhall regarding protocol of markets in QC to avoid contamination of pork from African Swine Fever.  PAGASA’s STC was asked to sit as a resource person together with PRA’s Atty. Paul Santos.

The Meeting with the good city Mayor resumed in the afternoon of 10 January 2020 which was meant for discussions and open forum leading to a protocol on the sale of tainted pork products as discovered in one of the supermarkets in this city supplied by a reputable meat vendor of significant size. Other PAGASA members present were Fred Gravador, Desmond Chua of Daily Supermarket and couple Alfred and Heidi Gatmaytan of Kiko Mart.  A press conference on the results of this Meeting took place on 19 Jan. 2020 (see picture with bright yellow pin light background).

PAGASA members attending the orientation/hearing on ASF at QC City hall takes a quick lunch at a nearby 7-11 behind City hall so they can get back for the continuation of the Meeting.  (L-R) STC, sisters Susan Garces-Lim of JC Plaza and Lalaine Garces of GL Supermarket, and brothers Paolo and Zandre of Simplicity Ministop.