On 27 April 2023, PAGASA's STC was invited to speak at the DTI-initiated Processed Fruits & Nuts (Industry Cluster) Conference held at Miriam College. This is PAGASA's advocacy in helping MSMEs get their products into the mainstream of mass retailing. After the talks, business mentoring took place among participants who chose among the speakers whom they want to get advice from.

On 25 April 2023, CNN9 News' Lois Calderon interviewed PAGASA's Steven T. Cua regarding the Executive Branch's initiative to tax the public for the consumption of single-use plastic bags in supermarkets and other retail outlets. It seems there "may" exist a case of double taxation here as plastic bag manufacturers are recently taxed P20 per kilo of plastic bags produced. This is passed on to retailers and is most damagingly passed on to consumers in areas where single-use plastic bags are allowed by LGUs. Now these same set of consumers will be taxed again for the same item?

In the morning of 25 April 2023, DTI's CPAB conducted a Webinar on how Plastics Credit Exchange (PCX) fits into the scheme of EPR. PCX acts as a PRO (Producer's Responsibility Organization) that provides compliance services/consultancy to the OE's (Obliged Enterprises) which are required to register with the National Ecology Center for plastic packaging waste management compliance. OE's are manufacturers/enterprise with P100M in assets (excluding real estate). OE's may engage with PRO's such as PCX to assist them in their sustainability programs. Meg Santos of PCX gave a very comprehensive presentation on how they can assist OE's in their compliance with the EPR Law.

PAGASA Pres. Steven T. Cua was paid a visit at PAGASA Office on 20 April 2023 by Team WL Foods to explore ideas on how to partner as supplier-retailer after the pandemic as practically all businesses endured scars during the lockdowns. Team was led by Charles (in black), son of WL (William Lim) himself.

In the morning of 18 April 2023, DTI-CPAB held a Webinar on Extended Producers Responsibility. This Law was signed in January of this year and was made effective in April. DENR EMB's Atty. Ivy Joyce L. De Pedro replies to my queries on: Whose responsibility is it to collect used plastic packaging for House Brands & Supermarket-Repacked Goods like rice, sugar & others? How about FMCG sold online > Online Operator or Manufacturer's responsibility to collect the used packaging after sales? Plastic bags > who should collect these? What if we sell new plastic bags to smaller retailers, eateries, vendors, et. al.?

STC met for early lunch with the prime movers of the trade show Asiafood Expo (AFEX) on 31 March 2023:  (R-L) Marivic S. Gacer, VP & COO and Marielen M. Maranan, Proj. Mgr. Show makes a comeback this 6-9 Sept. at the WTC. The consultative meeting explored ways on how PAGASA & 1SC Group can attain synergy.

For three straight years, PAGASA was visited by the Commercial Attache of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Manila, Mr. Lao Nguon Eng. He wanted to push Cambodian rice (regular, premium & organic), black pepper & salt to a country that needs to import these basic necessities.

STC had dinner on the eve of 30 March 2023  with PMFTC's (L-R) Cheyie Navarette, Jeric Crisol & Maru Lim Chua-Yap. Discussed about Vape Law and their plan to host the next General Meeting of PAGASA after visiting the Philippine Food Expo at SMX on 28 April 2023.

Launching of Thailand Week 2023 happened on 30 March 2023 at SMX with Sen. Cynthia Villar, DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual, Hans Sy, et. al. & three other batches of VIPs for photo opportunity. People are eager to get back to the usual grind after 3 years of absence. A lot of envoys/ambassadors from ASEAN (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, etc.) graced the affair. STC had the honor of being introduced to the ambassadors of Thailand and Cambodia respectively. There were a lot of Thai exhibitors at this 4-day Trade Show.

In the morning of 28 March 2023, PAGASA was invited to help screen  regional food products at the Offices of DTI's Bureau of Domestic Trade for the upcoming Hybrid National Food Fair to be held at SM Mega Trade Hall of Megamall this coming 12-16 July.