Cover Story
2ND QUARTER 2018
PHILIPPINE RETAILING
PRA NEWS AND UPDATES
The PRA is continuously representing the retail industry
in various meetings and through position papers on issues
affecting the industry:
PRA expresses stand on Retail Lib Act
During deliberation on the proposed House Bill 4595 or
Amendments to the RA 8762 Retail Liberalization Act last
March, PRA President Atty. Paul Santos, on behalf of the PRA
stated the opposition of the association on the elimination of
capital requirements for foreign retailers in the country. This was seconded by the Philippine Amalgamated
Supermarkets Association’s Mr. Steven Cua who also opposed the proposed USD 200,000 capitalization,
which for both associations is still too low for a capitalization because it doesn’t protect the small retailers.
According to the Magna Carta for MSMEs, Small retailers’ value falls between P3-15 million. Thus, the USD
200,000 capitalization for foreign retailers will still affect the SMEs in the country.
PRA scored a victory with the recent release of BIR’s regulation
on use of tape receipts
After more than two years of PRA’s continuous representations
with then BIR Deputy Commissioner Nestor Valeroso since
the issuance of BIR Revenue Regulation No. 10-2015, banning
thermal POS printers in lieu of dot matrix printers, which
was then believed to be more resilient to fading, the BIR has
finally allowed businesses to have the option to use the type of
paper depending on their business requirements, subject to the
retention and preservation of accounting records.
The recently released RR No. 16-2018 likewise allows customers who may need proof of payment to claim for
expense may return the issued tape receipt to the seller and request for the issuance of a manual invoice or
receipt. The seller can then issue manual invoice to replace the previously issued tape receipt.
As amended BIR requires all tape receipts issued to show the CRM/POS machine serial number in addition
to earlier required information on the receipt.
PRA objects expanded truck ban on EDSA
The PRA bucked the latest MMDA regulation on the expanded
truck ban along EDSA.
Based on the position letter the association sent to MMDA,
this regulation will adversely affect businesses that depend on
EDSA as a vital means of communication.
“Compelling retailers to transmit and receive deliveries on
Sundays and holidays will result in increased traffic congestion inside and in the vicinity of EDSA-based
shopping centers, which happen to be some of the busiest time of the week for them. This will likewise
increase costs to all participants in the retail value chain as they need to hire additional personnel to process
these late-night deliveries, and pay overtime wages to these employees,” stated in the letter.
PRA launches Retail
Employees Day for
Phl
The Philippine Retailers Association
(PRA) is launching the first-ever Retail
Employees Day (RED) in the country
and encourages its members and other
retail businesses to join in honoring
and showing gratitude to their front
liners who have played vital roles in
driving success to the retail industry.
RED is celebrated every 12 th of December
in different parts of the globe, with largest
participation in India, United Arab Emirates
and Turkey. It was started in India in 2011 by the
Trust for Retailers & Retail Associates of India
(TRRAIN), and widely spread to different parts
of the world with 700 brands and six million
employees participating.
PRA is urging every retailer to take part in
this celebration, which is also meant to boost
employees’ morale and motivation. Companies
can choose their own way to celebrate this
special day for their employees through
various activities. Some examples are employee
recognition and appreciation, party day for
employees, talent contest, sports events, and
breakfast with CEO, but companies have the
freedom to think of other activities.
Based on a study by TRRAIN, creating a special
day for the retail employees and giving them
recognition can increase productivity, improve
team work, and create positive energy and
better performance in the workplace.
Show your love and participate in RED on
December 12. Send photos or news articles
to PRA of RED activities for the association
to collate and promote the participating
companies. For queries and clarifications, you
may contact the PRA Secretariat at 687-4180 and
look for Ms. Mayan Sangil or email adcomm@
philretailers.com.
LTFRB works with malls to seize colorum PUVs in mall terminal
Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Roads Thomas
Orbos and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III met with mall operators
around Manila to seek their cooperation in tracking down colorum
public utility vehicles.
The LTFRB and mall operators agreed that the latter will submit a
list of cooperatives leasing their space for the regulatory board to determine which among these are legal.
Likewise, approval from LTFRB is required for future applications for mall terminal rentals.
Try not to become a man
of success, but rather try to
become a man of value.
Albert Einstein
Based on the LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2017-030, malls which allow colorum PUVs to use their terminal
will be charged fines of P50,000 per unit of jeep/Filcab; P120,000 per unit taxi; UV Express/Vans-P200,000
per unit; and public utility bus-P1 million per unit.
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