PAGASA's STC was invited by DTI's Region VII Provincial Director to attend the Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo held inside Island City Mall from 17-20 July 2024. Sandugo means "Iisang Dugo" to commemorate the blood compact between local chieftain Datu Sikatuna & Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in Tagbilaran, Bohol in 1565. Provincial Director Vierna Teresa C. Ilagan stands beside STC in group photo with other Provincial Directors & Tagbilaran City Administrator (in red). The Expo was very well attended.

The National Food Fair by DTI's Bureau of Domestic Trade was held from 14-17 July 2024 at SM Megamall's Megatrade Hall. PAGASA's STC was invited to check out select F&B products from the country's 17 regions. This year's outing was very orderly & booths were more aesthetically designed.

On 12 July 2024, the Philippine Competition Commission held a separate Zoom Meet with PAGASA's Exec. Director Steven T. Cua to analyze the pros and cons of DTI's monitoring of their SRP List of SKUs on a day-in-day-out basis. The PCC "feels" that this might lead to unhealthy competition in the food manufacturing and retail industries.

STC was interviewed as early as 9 July 2024 by Teleradyo and other networks regarding the current administration's performance on the 2nd year of Pres. Marcos' term in view of upcoming SONA on 22 July 2024.

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.