On 6 October 2017, the Phil. Retailers Association called a Special Meeting with available Board Members and select Members to discuss the alarming issue of the government’s intention to open the retail industry some more to foreign investors.  From a minimum investment of $2.5M for foreigners to be 100% owners of a Retail Operation, suggestion was to lower this amount to $200,000 only! Naturally, this alarmed the retail industry. PAGASA represented the food retailing sector of this industry at the Meeting.

 

The biggest Agri-Business Trade Show in the country took place on 5-7 Oct. 2017 at the World Trade Center. On Opening Day, STC represented PAGASA (which Chaired for this Show back in 2007) with Special Guests Jose “Joey” Concepcion III-Pres. Adviser on SMEs and Mr. Roberto “Bobby” Amores (both in coat beside STC in group shot by red vidi screen). This year’s Show was Chaired by the Durian Growers Association based in Davao (picture with STC at DA Booth).   As in previous years, INTERPORC>Spanish Interprofessional Agri-Food Organization of White Pork invited PAGASA to a cocktail dinner called “Spanish Pork Night” on 26 September 2017 at the Fairmont Hotel. This year, they brought in Michelin Star Chef Kisco Garcia.  Group picture features new friends (L-R) Rex Liao/AVP-Sales & Franchising for iFresh Corporation, Francisco “Jong” Jimenez Jr./AVP & Bus. Mgr.-San Miguel Foods, Inc., PAGASA’s STC, Señor Alejandro Rodriguez/ Spanish White Meat Exporter and the guest Chef both in formal and wacky formats!

 

At a lunch meeting at the Legend Seafood Restaurant across the World Trade Center, the Phil. Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) held its first major General Meeting to assess the involvement of the various organization-members of this Chamber. Chaired by Col. Alejandro Teves Escaño, this Meeting was handled by PCAFI Pres. Phillip Ong. PAGASA has been designated Chair of the Agri-Supermarkets Committee of PCAFI. Meeting was held after the Opening of Agrilink at the World Trade Center on 5 October 2017.

 

 

On the afternoon of 5 October 2017, Phil. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte took time out from his very busy schedule to visit Agrilink at the World Trade Center to cut its ribbon for a second time on its Opening Day. PAGASA VP Liansel Sy attended the affair in behalf of the organization and was honored by being chosen to represent Agrilink at a group picture taken at the Affair. He also had his picture taken with Jose “Joey” Concepcion III, Presidential Adviser on Small and Medium Enterprises as well as Chairman of the popular movement for SMEs> Go Negosyo.

 

 

As in previous years, INTERPORC>Spanish Interprofessional Agri-Food Organization of White Pork invited PAGASA to a cocktail dinner called “Spanish Pork Night” on 26 September 2017 at the Fairmont Hotel. This year, they brought in Michelin Star Chef Kisco Garcia.  Group picture features new friends (L-R) Rex Liao/AVP-Sales & Franchising for iFresh Corporation, Francisco “Jong” Jimenez Jr./AVP & Bus. Mgr.-San Miguel Foods, Inc., PAGASA’s STC, Señor Alejandro Rodriguez/ Spanish White Meat Exporter and the guest Chef both in formal and wacky formats!

 

On 21 Sept. 2017, the Phil. Retailers Assn. held its Third Quarter General Membership Meeting to discuss updates on the retail scene as well as continue with the last two sessions of the National Retail Conference which was suspended in view of the earthquake that took place during NRCE. The two sessions were entitled: “Emerging Generation: Engaging Millennials” and “The Centennial Shoppers” by Kantar Phils. The GenMeet tackled “Understanding the Data Privacy Act” by Commissioner Raymond Liboro of the National Privacy Commission. As it turns out, this 5-year law is just being implemented now to guarantee the privacy of consumers in the day-to-day negotiations online.

 

On the second eve of the exhibit of ASIAFOOD 2017, LNA Events Group EVP Josephine P. Miranda seeked the assistance of PAGASA’s STC to answer some of the questions regarding market penetration of thehead of delegation of Indian Exhibitors at the on-going Trade Show at the World Trade Center. They met on 14 Sept. 2017 at the Coffee Shop of the Jen Hotel.

 

 

At the Opening Ceremonies of Asiafood 2017, PAGASA’s STC was again invited to be a speaker together with (L-R) His Excellency the Ambassador of India to the Phils.; Treasurer of the Phil. Assn. of Food Technologists; Ms. Elizabeth de Leon-Lim/Pres.-Phil. Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc.; Josephine Miranda/EVP of LNA Mgt. Group (Show Organizer); Mr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis/ Pres.-Philexport; Joseph Ross Jocson/Pres.-Packaging Inst. of the Phils.; and Noel Paguia/Pres.-Food Caterers Assn. of the Phils.  STC was also invited to the Ribbon- Cutting Ceremonies for the Indian Pavilion at the Show which featured fifty exhibitors from India.

 

 

DTI called a Special Meeting on the effects of the recent Bird Flu that hit Pampanga and how it is affecting demand and prices for chicken in Metro Manila.  Meeting was held on the afternoon of 13 Sept. 2017 at the Offices of DTI Usec. Teodoro Pascua. Discussion reveals that consumers continued to partake of chicken in their meals especially at Fast Food Outlets but were a bit wary to buy unbranded dressed chicken from market vendors and supermarkets. Representatives from the Dept. of Agriculture attended to allay fears of the epidemic spreading elsewhere outside of Pampanga.

 

 

PAGASA and PRA was represented by Steven T. Cua on 7 September 2017 at the Senate with Ways & Means Committee Chairman Sen. Sonny Angara conducting the hearings with Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay. Asked of the retailers was what we think of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s plans to link all cash registers (whether electronic or POS) online to the data center of the BIR.  Of course without being sarcastic, STC expressed apprehension regarding the readiness of the government to do this considering the state of connectivity in our country.  He also cited fear in the confidentiality of data passing online and the cost of compliance.