The Department of Trade & Industry held a Forum on April 29, 2019 at the Marble Hall of the  offices of the Bureau of National Treasury, Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros.  Discussed were the guidelines meant for potential importers and traders of rice given Rep. Act 11203 and its IRR.  At the meeting aside from Sec. Lopez were NEDA Sec. Ernesto M. Pernia, DA Sec. Emmanuel F. Piñol, PITC Pres. Dave M. Almarinez as well as others from IRRI, DA-BPI, PCC and BOC.

PAGASA’s STC was Interviewed by Vietnamese media at a Business Matching Event on 21 March 2019 at the New World Manila Bay Hotel.  He was asked to comment on the competitiveness of rice and other commodities/products from Vietnam in entering the Philippine market.

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

Formal signing of the Tripartite Memo of Agreement amongst the Department of Trade & Industry, the National Food Authority and PAGASA on 19 Sept, 2018 to allow PAGASA Member-stores to carry NFA Rice in helping distribute these to the masses since long lines have been forming at the wet markets creating the perception that there is inadequacy of supply of cheap NFA Rice.

PAGASA Pres. receives a direct call from DTI Sec. Mon Lopez exploring the possibility of PAGASA Member-stores selling NFA Rice. STC replies in the affirmative as this has been done during the time of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Discussion ensued at the DTI Offices on 17 September 2018 regarding this possibility with no less than NFA Deputy Administrator Atty. Judy Carol Dansal (in black with blue scarf).