PAGASA’s STC attended the Senate Hearing on the creation of a new office (with head as part of the presidential cabinet) called the Philippine Trade Representative Office (PTRO) to handle negotiations, research, coordination and all matters pertaining to trade in view of the impending Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) in early 2015. PAGASA submitted its Position Paper on said proposal. Senate Chairman on the Committee on Trade, Industry and Entrepreneurship Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV called a swift follow-through public hearing on the same on 18 Feb. 2015.  PAGASA acted as resource organization for both hearings.