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.

Another Congressional Hearing on plastic bags was held on 10 December 2019 chaired by bill proponent Rep. Jose Maria Clemente “Joey” Sarte Salceda of Albay’s 2nd District who also held the position of Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. He proposed that a P10 tax/kilo be charged to manufacturers of plastic bags so the government can collect more taxes. With his usual witty and humorous style of managing his meets, he quickly ended the hearing by slapping a P20 tax for every kilo of plastic manufactured. He says consumers will not notice this since they may or may not be passed on this increase in operating expenses by manufacturers and retailers! Photo at the end of session includes Mother Earth Foundation’s Sonia Mendoza, Rep. Joaquin Chipeco Jr. of Calamba and DENR Usec. Benny D. Antiporda who is in charge of solid waste management and local government units concerns.

 

In the afternoon of 10 December 2019, a young social entrepreneur by the name of Von Alvaro Payumo asked for a meeting with PAGASA Pres. STC to explore his idea of a solution in helping  customers remember to reuse their ecobags with the help of an App. They are in the stage of producing their prototype and need to interview supermarkets to find our what is needed on the platform that they are creating. Von was introduced to PAGASA via Member Rembrandt Tolentino.

The new Board Members set a meeting on 3 December 2019 just before the Christmas Party of PAGASA to determine the new set of Officers for 2019-2021.  Elected President once more is Steven T. Cua of Welcome Supermart but to be added to him is the position of Executive Director. Retained as Vice President is Liansel Sy of Liana’s Supermarket. Jon Mykel Teodoro of Velamart retains his position as the Club’s Treasurer. Association Secretary is Edna Ontiveros/Candice Megamart in Tuguegarao and P.R.O. is Alfie Gatmaytan of Kiko Mart.

On 3 December 2019, PAGASA held its Christmas Party at High Street Cafe of Shangri-la at the Fort.  The Affair was a festive one as the new set of Board of Directors elected the new officers of the Association for 2019-2021 just before the broke bread with each other in wishing 2020 to be a great year for retailing.

 

 

On 27 November 2019, the House Committee on Ecology headed by Rep. Glona G. Labadlabad of the 2nd District of Zamboanga del Norte set a hearing on plastic bags. PAGASA was represented by its Pres. STC together with Director and former Vice President Fred Gravador.  A review was set on how to treat plastic bags by the new Chairwoman of the Committee.

 

 

On 21 November 2019, Mr. Dexter Deyto/General Manager of Informa Markets, Phils. visited the PAGASA Office to propose a tie-up with the Association on the upcoming Food & Hotel Asia in Singapore on Mar. 2020.  PAGASA is to be a Supporting Association in return for concessions for visiting members to the Show. Mr. Deyto used to be the Managing Director for SMX at the Mall of Asia

On 7 November 2019, Senate held a public hearing to discuss how online businesses should be taxed. PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua was seated between Atty. Cyril Alfred Castro of Lazada, Phils. and the Senior Adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Mr. John Forbes.  The Meet was exploratory in nature.  Photo taken after the session included the Chairman of the Phil. Retailers Assn., Atty. Paul Santos (in blue), Vice Chairman Roberto Claudio, PRA staff Mayan Sangil and Consumer Rights Advocate Joaquin Ma. Tamano, Jr. who represented Laban Konsyumer Inc.

 

The Association held its 4/Q General Meeting at Ayala Mall Makatii Circuit on 30 0ctober 2019 with guest speaker Tax Law expert Emelino T. Maestro at this Taiwanese restaurant on 4/F. Some members of PAGASA were having problems with the Bureau of Internal Revenue; thus, the lecture on tax laws and what to avoid to run businesses more smoothly.