On New Year's Eve of 9 Feb. 2024, PAGASA Pres. STC (2R) visited member-store Quincy Supermarket. (L-R) Engr. Charles Ong, Christian Ong and Ruben Uy (dad of Chloe Quincy and  husband of Carol) operate Quincy Supermarket at their store along D. Tuazon Ave., QC.

PAGASA had a full house on 2024's 1Q GenMeet to find out what's in-store for the Year. Special mention goes to Members who have travelled far & wide to join us that evening: Paolo & Jev Ong of Ongville from Quezon Province, PAGASA Director Kim Reyes of B-right Supermarket from Baras, Rizal, (former Dir.) Arjie Lim of Andrew's Grocery from Puerto Princesa, Palawan and PAGASA P.R.O. Edna Ontiveros of Candice Megamart from Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley. PAGASA would also like to thank Joy Garces, the mom of Jason Garces of JS Smart Choice in Nova, QC ("offspring" of GL Supermarket, JC Plaza <both in QC> & Unisave in Pateros) for joining PAGASA's GenMeet for the 1st time. This Meeting was graciously hosted by Maris Pure Corp., makers of Healthy & Pure Bottled Water. Matters regarding inflation, shrinkflation, competition and over-regulation by government were discussed.

In the morning of 6 February 2024, PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua (STC) was invited by Congress as a Resource Person to shed light on food retailers' views regarding proposal to do away with booklet and in effect, do away with maximum purchases by senior citizens eligible for 5% food discount. This Joint Hearing by the Committees on Ways & Means, Senior Citizens and Persons With Disabilities was chaired by Rep. Jose Sarte Salceda, Congressional Chairman for Ways & Means. It was a good thing he allowed STC to speak. That's his voice in the video noting what STC is saying. Of course the old congressmen & women and officers from the Nat'l. Commission on Senior Citizens in attendance wanted to do away with the SC's booklet on groceries and pharmacies. The President of the Drug Stores Assn. of the Phils. (DSAP) gave a similar objection as PAGASA's and the PRA's.

Channels ABS CBN, PTV4, TV5, A2Z, UNTV, SMNI and Philippine Daily Inquirer visited this QC Store on 25 January 2024 to interview regarding  Shrinkflation.

PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua was surrounded by media reporters on his way out of the NPCC Meeting on 24 January 2024 for a restroom break.

On 24 January 2024, the DTI held the year's first National Price Coordinating Council Meeting chaired by Sec. Alfredo Pascual. PAGASA is invited as an observer since the current Administration (under the Office of the President) has not formally chosen Members to this Council. Just the same at this Meeting, Sec. Pascual allowed STC to state PAGASA's position with regards to DTI's practice of applying an SRP on BNPCs. He even reveals that a study by the DOJ made in 2015 & one by the World Bank in 2019 cited that the use of SRP is detrimental to the growth of economies. Seated beside Sec. Alfredo Pascual is the very capable DOJ Usec. Geronimo Sy. DTI says it will review the continuous use of SRP as the Secretary prefers to allow market forces to flow freely instead of having government intervention/over-regulation concerning the matter.

During the first two weeks of 2024, PAGASA's STC was hounded by media eager to find out if DTI had allowed manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities to increase prices on selected items as requested since late the previous year.

PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua guested online on Alvin Elchico's program handled by Jonathan Magistrado with PCCTA Pres. Carling Cabochan on 6 January 2024.

In the morning of 15 December 2023, PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua was invited as Resource Person at The Media Forum organized by Capstone Intel Corp.> a research company on commuter & consumer trends. It was held at Daburu Ramen in Malate, Manila. Guest for commuter update was Elvira Medina, a former DOTC Asec & an advocate for commuters' rights. (L-R) Also at head table is OCTA Research Fellow Dr. Guido David, Capstone's Liaison Officer Atty. Nick Conti & Capstone's Dir. for Research & Publication Ella Kristina "K" Coronel. Topics were Food Security & Jeepney Modernization Program.

MEDIA BLITZ ON CHRISTMAS RETAIL SITUATIONER

From 12-14 December 2023, STC was interviewed via phone patch, Zoom or live by ANC's Michelle Ong on her News Program, by the Presidential Broadcast Service (PBS) as hosted by Program Anchor Ms. Janet Bayan on her Show entitled "Agenda ng Bayan" and by GMA 7's Sandra Aguinaldo among others. Below you will find portion of STC's interview with the PBS which starts at the 30.35 min. mark & ends at 45.20.