On the afternoon of 28 June 2017, the Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) of the Department of Trade & Industry invited stakeholders to a public hearing on the guidelines in the implementation of SRP under the jurisdiction of the DTI.  PAGASA, under its President Steven T. Cua, stated its objection to the implementation of the SRP by the DTI under normal economic conditions.  He states that it is best for laissez faire and the normal market forces to dictate on the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities. Competition keeps retailers (and manufacturers/suppliers for that matter) in check. You may find PAGASA’s position on this in the following link: Position Paper

 

 

In the morning of 15 June 2017, the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) held its second meeting under the Duterte Administration generally to discuss the food supply and price situation in the City of war-town Marawi.  As tension continuously mounts in said City and Martial Law is declared over the whole of Mindanao, price freeze for basic necessities in this southern island takes effect.  Also discussed is the potential increase in food prices with the proposed excise tax on sugared beverages and the new tax on salted foods.  As is with every NPCC Meeting, the DTI invites the press for a conference to clarify matters and issue statements for the public to be aware of the on-goings in the economy and the plans of government to address certain concerns.  Almost always, PAGASA is invited to this Conference headed by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and Usec. Teodoro Pascua. STC mentions when questioned that fundamentally, price is a function of supply and demand but that pricing/price positioning, on the other hand, is a strategic business decision regardless of macroeconomic factors; that suppliers may opt to increase/decrease prices as a consequence of anticipated conditions which may be favorable or adverse to their business.  As in the case of anticipated taxes on prime commodities, some manufacturers have already opted to increase prices for some of their sku’s even before taxes are put in place so they don’t have to do so when competitors adjust their prices.

 

 

On 21 May 2017, PAGASA volunteered to host the Supermarket Tour for foreign buyers/exhibitors at the well-attended IFEX 2017. Participants were limited to 30 and were broken down into four groups handled by PAGASA Pres. STC (Welcome), VP Liansel Sy (Liana’s), Treasurer Myke Teodoro (Velamart) and Active Member Charlene Lim (JC Plaza).  Attendees hailed from Mexico, the U.S., Argentina, Ukraine, Belgium, Cambodia, Japan, China, Malaysia, Israel and other countries interested in either supplying the Philippine market with their goods or in sourcing for Philippine items to be carried by the supermarkets they supply in the countries where they work in.  The group visited the food retailers in BGC and capped the day with a side-trip to the American Cemetery (formerly Fort McKinley) where American soldiers MIA during WWII were given a place of honor in view of their sacrifice. This Supermarket Tour is PAGASA’s special project and way of giving back to the economy on PAGASA’s 30th Year of Service to the public.

 

DTI’s CITEM held the prestigious International Food Expo (IFEX) at the World Trade Center on 19-21 May for 2017.  On its first eve, it held Cocktails at the lobby for the exhibitors and VIPs of this year’s event. On its 30th Year as an Industry Association, PAGASA took the honors to host the Supermarket Tour for the visiting buyers and exhibitors of IFEX ’17>a fitting salute to its third decade of service to the industry. See post on 15 March 2017 regarding the planning for this cooperation.

 

 

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat commissioned a project entitled: “Capacity Building for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Competition Policy” together with the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).  It appointed Australia-based Sustineo Pty Ltd to hold a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on 16 May 2017 to identify key issues for SMEs relevant to competition policy and law and possible actions/interventions that can remedy these issues. PAGASA was invited to represent the food retail industry. The event took place at the Mercure Hotel in Pasig City. Represented were Industry Associations in the service and manufacturing sectors.

After some 10 years since its launching, DTI decided to e-launch the “new improved” Bagwis Awards. DTI will ow apply a bolder approach of getting retailers to seek his coveted seal of good housekeeping. Potential candidates will now be approached by the regional offices of the DTI and invited to apply for the said Award. Unlike before where winners of this award hold on to it perpetually, everyone holding on to this award will now be reviewed every three years to see if they still deserve to be given the award.  Submitted documents to earn this award has also been substantially minimized. DTI regional and provincial offices will be granted prizes for developing the most number of Bagwis Awardees in their areas for the next year.  Emphasis here on developing customer service especially for the regional retailers. 

 

On 4 May 2017, PAGASA was invited to the deliberations for the Internal Rules & Regulations (IRR) of the Expanded Consumer Act by the Senate Committee on Trade, Industry & Entrepreneurship based on the bills filed by Senators Bam Aquino & Ralph Recto to update the public on circumstances surrounding online retailing and the newer forms of modern commerce.  At the session were DTI Usec. Ted Pascua and Laban Konsumer Chairman (& former DTI Usec. Vic Dimagiba) who “battled” it out over definitions, semantics and legal parlance on certain terms, clauses and stipulations of the proposed Expanded Consumer Act of the Philippines. Session was adjourned by 1pm and to be continued at a later date.  Though a lot of the participants were barristers, STC gave his practical two- cents’ perspective on a more realistic approach on how things are done in the workplace regarding sales and consumers’ rights.

 

 

PAGASA held its 2/Q GenMeet at the relatively new Fely J’s Kitchen at Uptown Mall of the BGC. Host for the evening is the Agriculture, Food & Life Division of SGS Philippines, Inc.  The GenMeet was held at this newest retail development of the BGC to signify the changing landscape of retail outlets in view of new townships heavily based with BPO Companies and the retail needs of those employed in this industry.

 

 

Dusk of 24 April 2017, STC was invited to the office of Community Crafts Association of the Philippines along Araneta Avenue, QC to meet with its Executive Director Voltaire Alferez.  This NGO aims to assist calamity-stricken as well depressed communities to help them stand on their own two feet via handicrafts livelihood projects. On the same day, members of Fair Trade USA visited this office to view the latest products on display for export globally. All their products were exported until Voltaire thought of gaining sales volume for these under-privileged by offering Christmas Baskets for use by supermarkets during the Yuletide Season to PAGASA Members.

 

 

PAGASA’s STC was invited to a Public-Private Market Dialogue with the theme: “Boosting Food Standards in the Philippines” on 20 April 2017 at the Oakwood Joy Nostalg Building at the Ortigas Center.  This Meeting included producers, retailers, associations, companies with certified produce, certification bodies and consumer groups.  This Dialogue-Workshop aims to understand the state of implementation of food standards in the Philippines as well address challenges in the horizon. It is an ASEAN-German Cooperation Project on standards in the Southeast Asian Food Trade (SAFT) wth the Bureau of Agri. and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) under the D.A.  STC gave his inputs into how to promote the sales and consumption of organic fruits and vegetables by appointing a credible certification body (there are now two), making the accreditation process easier to achieve and by making consumers aware of organic goods to eventually form the habit of consuming these regularly and in bigger quantities.