STC attended the Vietnam-Phil. Business Forum held at the New World Manila Bay Hotel on 21 March 2019.  There was business matching organized by the Vietnamese Embassy. He was introduced to the new ambassador and was joined by the managers of All Day Supermarket, a member of PAGASA.

 

 

On the afternoon of 21 March 2019, STC met up with Rolly Pagaspas to discuss the revival of Shop.Talk.Asia in its new digital format at the coffee shop of the New World Manila Bay Hotel (now called the New Coast Hotel Manila).

PAGASA’s STC was Interviewed by Vietnamese media at a Business Matching Event on 21 March 2019 at the New World Manila Bay Hotel.  He was asked to comment on the competitiveness of rice and other commodities/products from Vietnam in entering the Philippine market.

Mr. Sheng Xiaosong, Asia Area Manager for Adam Foods, Spanish maker of known biscuits like Cuetara, Bocaditos and Napolitanas made a return visit to PAGASA Offices on Mar. 20, 2019 to check on the interest of the region for their biscuits. The former Area Manager had left samples and the locals would find the biscuits agreeable but Adam Foods has to find a good distributor to sell their products and represent the company in this country.

On 4 March 2019, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) hosted a Forum on Irradiation of Food and Cosmetic Products at the DTI Office at the corner of Gil Puyat and Makati Avenue. PAGASA was introduced into this technology which keeps food as well as non-food products safe from bacteria.  Objection to this is the cost of laboratories which can do irradiation.

 

PAGASA held its 1Q General Meeting for 2019 at Japan Town of Ayala Vertis North on 30 Jan. 2019. Hosted by PMFTC, the meeting centered on the future of the tobacco section of supermarkets as well as the state of competition in the industry.

 

 

In the afternoon of Jan. 29, 2019, PAGASA’s STC was invited as usual to screen the products worthy for presentation at Bureau of Domestic Trade's Philippine Food Show to be held at the MegaMall's Mega Trade Halls soon after. STC’s perspective is to choose products with proper packaging meant for supermarket shelves and not just for trade shows and gift shops.

In the morning of 29 January 2019, the Senate held a Hearing on another round of tax price increase for the tobacco industry. Stakeholders in the said industry as well as medical experts in studies on the effects of tobaccos on human beings were present to deliberate on the issue. PAGASA Pres. STC sat as a Reference Person at this activity.

On 27 January 2019, PAGASA Pres. STC had an opportunity to visit the members of PAGASA in Dumaguete City, province of Negros Oriental. He went to check on Lee Super Plaza, Lee Hypermarket and the two stores of Cang’s, Inc.

 

 

Ms. Deborah Sy, Research Assistant working for Dr. Mitzie Conchada from School of Economics, De La Salle University and in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS, an agency under NEDA) conducted research on a project which aims to present and examine the current state of competition in supermarkets, groceries and hypermarkets considering the slotting arrangements the retailers may have with the manufacturers.  Interview at PAGASA office took place on 23 January 2019.