“Philippine Food and Agribusiness: Performance and Forecasts” is a  Mid-Year Food and Agri Business Conference held at the PLDT Hall of UA&P’s APEC Bldg. on 5 July 2018.  PAGASA has been invited a number of times to share food retail’s developments and contribution to the economy at this regular Conference. Speakers were Phil. Confederation of Grains Assn. Pres. Herculano Co, Harbest Agribusiness Corp.’s Pres. Arsenio Barcelona, Edwin Chen/ Pres.-Pork Producers Fed. of the Phils., Wilfredo Yap/Exec. Dir. of Santeh Aquaculture S&T Foundation, Inc., PAGASA’s STC for Food Retail Industry and finally, UA&P’s Exec. Dir. of the Center for Food and Agri Business Dr. Rolando Dy who stayed on for the Open Forum with Mr. Cua.

 

The Phili. Consumer-Centric Traders Association (PCCTA) held a forum on 6 July 2018 at the Sulo Hotel to clear things up regarding the new QC Ordinance prohibiting the sale of sugared-beverage and salted-foods to elementary and high school students within 100 meters from the gates of any public or private school.  Needless to say, the same goes for the sale of cigarettes near schools and places where the youth congregate. There were a lot of technical questions asked and addressed during this forum.  However, there were also a lot of gray areas left unclear.  The QC City Hall was represented by a lady-lawyer who is on top of this Ordinance.  She says adults/parents may buy snack foods for school-age children in stores within 100 meters from schools but retailers were not allowed to sell these items (including sugared-beverage) to the same set of children.  Rationale is that this is a health bill trying to encourage children to eat food which provide the proper nutrition.  Children may bring in snackfoods/beverages in their lunch boxes if parents/guardians prepared these for their meals/snacks but are discouraged from buying the same in stores nearby.  Attending for PAGASA was its President, Steven T. Cua and JC Plaza’s mother-daughter team of Susan and Charlene Lim.

 

The Bureau of Investments has requested PAGASA to kindly entertain Mr. Robin Yao’s request for inquiry.  He is the Head for Overseas Investment & Dev’t. of New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd. of China. STC requested the assistance of Phillip Ong/Pres.-Phil. Chamber of Agriculture & Food, Inc. (PCAFI) and associate at this encounter.

 

PRA (Phil. Retailers Assn.) General Membership Meeting on 24 October 2018 at d Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas Center where PAGASA was presented with the Loyalty and Outstanding Member Awards. PAGASA is honored to have been bestowed these two awards for the same year.

 

Congressional Hearing by the Committee on Trade & Industry on 9 Oct. 2018 regarding proposed revisions to the Retail Liberalization Act.

 

Noontime of Oct. 4, 2018, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture & Food, Inc. (PCAFI) held its General Meeting at the Legend Seafood Restaurant across the World Trade Center right after the Opening Ceremonies of Agrilink. PCAFI is closely related to the Trade Show as almost all its members are exhibitors at the said show. PCAFI has been in existence for quite a while under Col. Alejandro Escaño but is currently being revived by its new President Phillip Ong of Santeh Feeds. Among its members are Bombits Buencamino of PAMPI (Phil. Assn. of Meat Producers, Inc.), Tyson and Edwin Chen of Bounty Fresh, Atty. Bong Inciong of UBRA (United Broiler Raisers Assn.), Dr. Rolando Dy/Dean of the UA&P’s Agri-Business College, Pres.-elect Henry Lim Bon Liong of the FFCCCII, et. al.

 

At the Opening Ceremonies of Agrilink Aqualink Foodlink on 4 October 2018 at the World Trade Center.  PAGASA has been a partner of FRLD, organizer of this annual best-attended Agri-Business Trade Show, for the last twenty years!  This Trade Show has always been known for a good mix of embassy diplomats, farmers and students at its Opening. Special Guest for this year is Senator Cynthia Villar, Committee Chair for Agri-Business. Pres. Rodrigo Duterte will grace the affair in the afternoon in view of his busy schedule.

 

PAGASA complains on 1 October 2018 about d high registration fees to be able to attain a permit as a grains/rice dealer and carry NFA Rice for the buying public

 

PAGASA begins to sell NFA Rice to the buying public by October of 2018 in two kilo bags at very affordable price.