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.

At the General Meeting held at the Ayala Mall Makati Circuit on the eve of 30 October 2019, the members voted into office the new set of Board of Directors of PAGASA for 2019-2021.

DTI hosted the 2nd Consumer Welfare Congress at the Manila Hotel on 25 October 2019.  Stakeholders like PAGASA were invited to grace the occasion and the lady of the hour was Undersecretary Ruth Castelo. Every October is celebrated as Consumer Welfare Month.

STC missed this year’s Opening Ceremonies but decided to pay this annual Agri-Business Trade Show a visit on the eve of 3 October 2019.  This is the biggest trade event for businesses in agriculture. The outside exhibitors brought prized livestock as well as interesting fowl for the public to consider breeding these as a business.