On 6 October 2023, STC was invited by DTI Region IX to attend their trade show held at KCC Mall de Zamboanga called ZAMPEX. The weekend coincided with the annual Hermosa Festival of the Zamboanga Peninsula. Mr. & Mrs. Cua were toured by Tony Tan Ituralde of their Chamber of Commerce & Industry at the exhibition. He had a photo taken with the big bosses of DTI Region IX. Reg. Dir. Engr. Al-Zamir I. Lipae (in blue), his Asst. Reg. Dir. (in white) & the respective directors of Zambo City, Zambo del Norte, Zambo del Sur & Zambo Sibuguey. He got to taste the bakes and delicacies of the region especially the famous curacha. He also got up early to see the Vinta Regatta held by the Boulevard.

In the morning of 26 September 2023, just a day after DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual proclaimed that there will be no price increases for BNPCs (basic necessities and prime commodities) until end of the year, PAGASA's STC was sought his opinion regarding the veracity of the Secretary's bold statement. DTI held a Meeting with key manufacturers earlier and prevailed upon them not to increase prices until the following year.

Media mentions that some of these manufacturers said they did not give their consent to the Secretary's request. STC maintains that in an economy that practices free enterprise, prices should be allowed to flow freely as suppliers always watch out that they do not price their products out-of-the-market.

In the early morning of 19 September 2023, PAGASA's STC was interviewed over SMNI Channel regarding the state of the economy from the retailers' POV. Aside from demand and supply as well as expectations of price adjustments given economic conditions, the 30-minute interview via Zoom zeroed in on effects of recent wage increases, rebound from the pandemic, supply chain disruption, 11-week continuous increase in prices of fuel, announced increase in cost of power consumption and the general sentiment of consumers leading to the Christmas Season.

"Four business groups on Friday, Sept. 15, called on lawmakers to reconsider the proposed wage hike, reiterating that salary increases will affect mostly informal workers and small business owners since it will lead to higher inflation which is harmful to both business and the economy.

Business leaders urge balanced solutions and economic issues

The 15th of September 2023 turned out to be a day with media as they were concerned with the economic outlook for the coming Christmas Season. The day started with a joint interview with TV 5's Shyla Franciso and GMA 7's Bernadette Reyes. It ended with a digital guesting on TV 5's The Big Story with the panel of (L-R) Danica Laurel, Regina Lay and Shawn Yao. Days were sprinkled with phone patch interviews with the various media outfits.

In the morning of 15 September 2023, PAGASA, as represented by its President, guested at business writer Wilson Lee Flores' Pandesal Forum at his Kamuning Bakery Cafe on the topic of "Wages on the Rise" as proposed by Senate. Aside from STC were PCCI Pres. George Barcelon (beside him), ECOP & PhilExport Pres. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. and FFCCCII Pres. Cecilio Pedro. Conclusion: Businesses cannot handle another wage hike given weak economic fundamentals.

STC attended the third and final lunch meeting in preparation for this year's version of the biggest Agri-Business Trade Show in the country called  "Agrilink, Aqualink, Foodlink." It is organized by FRLD and will be held at the World Trade Center on 5-7 October 2023. Lunch Mtg was held at Victorino's Restaurant in Quezon City on 14 September 2023. STC was past Chairman for this Show in behalf of PAGASA in 2007.

PAGASA's STC guested on the early morning show of Teleradyo Serbisyo of Alvin Elchico and Doris Bigornia 6:45am of 14 September 2023. Topic was the current survey of Price Waterhouse Cooper Phils. on CEO's positive opinion regarding expected price increases on basic necessities & prime commodities this coming Christmas Season. Joining him is the recently-appointed DTI Head of their Consumer Protection Group Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco.

Various media outfits like ABS CBN, DZRH, Net25 TV, etc. interviewed PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua especially after he "politely declined" Malacañang's request for him to endorse the Palace's move to place a price ceiling for regular- and well-milled rice and sell the same below cost.

STC was invited as one of the ribbon-cutters at the Opening Ceremonies of Asiafood Expo at tge World Trade Center in the morning of 6 September 2023. There he met and rekindled old ties with (L) Francis Sevilla & Noel Paguia (R), President & Chairman respectively of the Food Caterers Assn. of the Phils. (FCAP). Seated comfortably, one will find bemoustached  Steve Tamayo, founder of FCAP.