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.

 

 

On 15 April 2020, PAGASA’s STC was Interviewed by the ABS CBN News Channel (ANC) regarding the impending opening of malls the following day to the public.  “What does PAGASA think will be the turn-out?”

Posted online on 8 April 2020, the Dept. of Trade & Industry produced a video showing the courage and cooperation of supermarket operators in serving the buying public. In spite of the risk of their officers/personnel catching COVID-19 as food retail outlets are places where people congregate, supermarket operators face the challenges head-on with health protocols like disinfecting the store and equipment, requiring customers and staff to wear masks and shields at all times and practicing social distancing.  DTI is in constant touch with PAGASA and all major stores since Day 1 of lockdown to ensure proper coordination as health safety requirements worldwide keep changing.

Visayan media Sunstar Interviewed PAGASA’s Robert Go of the Prince Retail Group on 31 March 2020 regarding supplies and prices of commodities in the region as a result of the unexpected epidemic brought about by COVID-19.

Shelves of some PAGASA Member-stores as of 1 April 2020 were empty as a result of panic buying which started on 10 March. Some closed for as long as a week to source for stocks to fill up their gondola and shelves.

 

 

On 28 February 2020, the Chairman for PRA’s National Retail Conference and Exhibition (NRCE) 2020> Rustan’s Bienvenido “Donnie” Tantoco III called for a Meeting at his Makati Office to set the tone for this year’s NRCE. This initial meeting on themes and names for the Conference were deliberated on by the Core Organizers which included PAGASA’s STC.  Speakers were selected to match the relevant topics intended for the Summit come August.

 

PAGASA attended a Technical Working Group Meeting on 26 February 2020 at the Lower House for the Committee on Ecology chaired by House Speaker-elect Rep. Lord Allan Jay Quinto Velasco of the lone district of Marinduque who sponsored the latest bill on plastic bags.  This Meeting was supposed to consolidate all bills related to Single-Use Plastic Products/Materials.  It was going to be a quick succession of TWG Meetings to swiftly solve the issue on plastics.

Following the TWG Meeting last 26 February, the House Committee on Ecology quickly called a follow-up Meeting on 5 March 2020.  (This was to be PAGASA’s last physical meeting for a long time in view of the upcoming but unexpected lockdown due to COVID-19.  The next TWG Meet for this purpose was held on 30 June 2020 but was virtual in nature.  PAGASA failed to attend that one.)

PAGASA was invited to be an Exhibitor at the Food & Hotel Asia, a trade show held at the SMX on 21-23 February 2020.  Visitors entered the booth of PAGASA to acquaint themselves with the Association and offer products and services to its members.