The DTI held a rejoinder on 4 July 2024 headed by DTI's CAAB Dir. Che Carbonell regarding DTI's SRP List & how to make it more relevant for the Filipino consumer. This Technical Working Group Meeting was held with Philippine Competition Commission's Dash Cordero (in photo) and Jenno Ravalo including PSA's Merdelito Dolorito + 4 of his colleagues from the Phil. Statistics Authority. As initially proposed, categories to be delisted from the List were candles, evap./cond. milk (powdered milk to remain), coffee refill (3-in-1 to remain), bottled water, condiments and batteries. DTI Sec. Pascual maintains that price freeze enforced during times of emergency/calamity keeps the prices of these commodities in check (as needed).

Exec. Dir. Steven T. Cua was invited to grace the Opening of Indonesia Expo on 28 June 2024 at the Glorietta Activity Center where diplomats of ASEAN countries and Makati Mayor Abigail Binay were guests of honor.

Just a day after meeting with Dir. Carbonell, on 27 June 2024, STC was invited to meet with DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual as Chairman of the Nat'l. Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) on the review of List of categories & SKUs necessary for day-to-day needs of the buying public (& not during times of calamity/emergency) which may be better off delisted. Pascual feels that the 217 SKUs on their List may appear imposing & confusing to consumers. The only parties invited to this Consultative Meeting from the private sector were PAGASA, PCCTC, UBRA & PCFMI (absent). So far, only PAGASA spoke & gave inputs at this Meeting. Categories to be delisted are salt, candles, batteries, evap/cond. milk and coffee refill packs.

On the eve of 27 June 2024, PAGASA Secretariat Jenny Lopez received a sad call from Anne Cadorniga, long-time secretary of Johnny Lim (680 Home Appliances & Supermart)> one of the original founders of PAGASA who stayed active until the pandemic set in. He last joined PAGASA at the Christmas Party of 2019 at Shangrila The Fort. He passed away on 6/24. Mr. Lim was 84 years of age. U.P. Professor Johnny was a stalwart at PAGASA and always at the forefront of consumer affairs for PAGASA.

In the morning of 26 June 2024, PAGASA Executive Director Steven T. Cua was invited to a Zoom Consultative Meeting with Retailers. It was headed by DTI's Price & Supply Unit of the Consumer Affairs & Advocacy Bureau (CAAB) Director Cheryl Carbonell regarding "A Review of Categories & Items to be Carried in DTI's SRP List." Attendees included Rey del Valle/SM Markets, Joey Lavarias/Robinsons & Joyce Buison/Metro Gaisano.

At noon of 26 June 2024, STC attended the PRA Lunch General Membership Meeting held at Novotel, Araneta City. Speakers were all very articulate & knowledgeable. He also bumped into Jovie Dimayuga of PAGASA Member Isetann Supermarket & Department Store and Paul Tan of Citistores, a former member of PAGASA.

The Manila Food & Beverage Exhibition held its Official Opening on 12 June 2024 (Phil. Independence Day) at the World Trade Center. PAGASA was provided a Booth and PAGASA Executive Director Steven T. Cua was honored to have been invited to launch this 5-day Trade Show. He is shown standing behind the famed song-writer Jose Mari Chan. Keynote Speaker was Senator Maria Imelda "Imee" Remedios R. Marcos. Steve is shown congratulating Show Organizer Joseph Ang with Eugene Yap/Pres.- Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Phils. (HRAP) behind them as well as Celebrity Social Activist Mae Paner aka Juana Change. The Trade Show was filled to the rim with exhibitors and visitors.

In the afternoon of 23 May 2024, PAGASA Executive Director Steven T. Cua was interviewed online by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for their continuing study on professionalization of government officials and the impact of their decisions/regulations on the business sector. DAP Fellow at the Policy Research Office Reuel Hermoso & staff Janine Coleen D. de Villa carried out the interview.

Upon the kind invitation of DTI Regional Director Maria Elena C. Arbon (Reg. 7) to a Dinner Meeting with DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual in the evening of 23 May 2024 at Cebu Business Park's City Sports Club, PAGASA was represented by its Director Robert Go/Pres.- Prince Retail Group of Companies. There, he was given the chance to shoot three quick questions to the Secretary:

The Department of Trade and Industry met with ten major manufacturers and two major chains of supermarkets on 9 May 2024 to assess the debilitating effects of the current heat wave and its negative impact on business and consumers. At said meeting, a request was made by government appealing for manufacturers to hold on to prices for the next sixty days to alleviate the discomfort brought about by the weather as well as contracted buying behavior of the public due to this. Four of these producers have agreed to a price freeze for instant noodles, canned goods and bottled water.