On 5 November 2020, PAGASA was invited to attend Retail Asia's webinar entitled "Success Factors for an Exceptional Online Customer Experience" by UltraCommerce, an Australian firm with an online platform like those of Lazada,  Zalora, etc.

 

 

 

In view of the amount of fake paper bills circulating in the economy, PAGASA sends this advisory on how to tell what is fake from what is real:

 

A vigilant shopper sent this video to a social media platform and it went viral. Her observation that the health-hazardous puncturing of minute holes on powdery products packaged in plastic bags (like sugar, salt and the like) to let air out and make displays in supermarkets even and easier for stocking is very valid in view of the uncontained spread of COVID-19. PAGASA members were advised to refrain from this practice.

PAGASA was honored to be included as one of 10 consultant-agencies for the formulation of a Strategic Statement for the pillar Product Market (there are 12 pillars/FGD's incl. Infrastructure, Labor Market, ICT, Financial System, etc.) for presentation to the World Economic Forum (at a Zoom Meeting that took the whole morning). With STC on 16 September 2020 were Messrs. Ruben J. Pascual/PCCI, George Chua/FPI, George Siy/FFCCCII, Paul Santos/PRA, Carlos Cabochan/PCCTA, Ms. Ma. Flordeliza Leong/ PhilExport, Ms. Marinella Gilda Gamboa/Phil. Competition Commission, Dir. Sandra Marie Recolizado/Bureau of Investments and Atty. Ma. Liza Sebastian/Bureau of Customs. Next level of discussions is the National Level where the output is 12 Strategic Statements to be presented at the World Economic Forum in showcasing the Philippines as a competitive economy.

 

 

As announced on 21 August 2020, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is issuing new paper bill money with worth of P1,000, P500, P200, P100, P50 with new security features to protect the economy and the public from being victimized by criminal syndicates who print and circulate fake money bills.  Also introduced is the new P20 coin so that hopefully, it has a longer circulation life than its paper counterpart.

 

 

 

 

PAGASA’s STC was a virtual guest done live on 6 August 2020 over Ch.5's talk show on issues "Sa Totoo Lang" w/hosts (Top Left,clockwise) Chiqui Vergel, Joee Francisco and Cheryl Cosim on the state of Supermarkets during the new Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), in coordination with the Department of Interiors and Local Government (DILG) started issuing Quarantine Passes and limiting it to only one member per household to cut down on the number of people who have access to supermarkets and pharmacies/drug stores during lockdowns in certain localities. This limits the number people who interact with others outside of their households to avoid contamination with the dreaded Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19).

The 8th PRA Virtual Learning Series with the topic “Futureproofing RETAIL: Strategies to Navigate the New Normal" on 21 May 2020 featured PAGASA President STC. SAP Southeast Asia's Industry Business Architect - Retail, Aditya Utama went deep into strategic priorities for retailers to navigate the new normal and futureproof their business. He was joined by Atty. Paul A. Santos (Chairman, PRA), Rosemarie B. Ong (President, PRA) and Steven Cua (President, Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association) in a panel discussion sharing their insights and experiences in this new normal. The webinar was moderated by Raphael Layosa, CEO of Retailgate.

PAGASA held its first virtual GenMeet using Google Meet on 6 May 2020. Assessing the situation seven weeks into quarantine and the potential of digital/online selling for those new and abruptly thrust into selling in this format. PAGASA President Steven T. Cua was continuously invited to various online programs discussing the shift from offline shopping to online sourcing for food by consumers as they avoid contact with the general public amidst this pandemic.