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The SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team hosted a Sustainabits session titled, “Welcoming 2024 with a B.A.N.G! Begin A New Green Journey: Creating Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions.” The session aimed to inspire SGVeans to incorporate greener and healthier habits in the new year.  CCaSS Director Reynaldo Azarcon formally opened the session and emphasized the importance of following through small sustainable actions that could greatly impact the community. Rey is part of the team leading the Firm’s Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) initiative. He is also a member of the Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council - Environment Pillar.  The SGV CCaSS team talks about making sustainable new year’s resolutions The presenters were Associate Director Jamaica Pangasinan, Senior Associate Ricca Ciana Macabuac, and Associate John Christoper Evangelista. The team discussed the various sustainable new year’s resolutions that anyone can start applying such as eating less meat to reduce one’s carbon footprint and saying “no” to single-use plastics. The team also talked about SGV’s Environmental Policy and waste management initiatives, highlighting the Firm’s progress on the TRUE program. They also talked about decluttering, encouraging the participants to donate used items. To conclude the session, the attendees were asked to participate in the Declaration of Commitment for a call-to-action that shows their commitment to partake in the implementation of these sustainable new year’s resolutions. The SAVE Council’s Sustainabits is a monthly thirty-minute session that covers concepts, trends, regulations, and industry practices around sustainability and climate change. 

SGV was one of the sponsors of the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) 5th Sustainability Summit, an annual event that showcases the sustainability efforts and journey of its members. More than 150 participants attended the two-day summit which was held at the Makati Diamond Residences and the WSDC Training Rooms at the SGV I Building. (From left to right) GCNP Executive Director Octavio "Bobby" Peralta, SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, Co-CEO of Bayo Manila, Inc. Anna Marie Lagon, UNGC Regional Head for Asia and Oceania Neha Das, Nickel Asia Corporation President and CEO Martin Antonio Zamora, and GCNP Chairperson Ma. Victoria "Vickie" Tan SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan attended the by-invitation-only CEO Forum where CEOs discussed their vision, plans, scale-up activities, and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). In another segment, EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani talked about Sustainability Reporting.  EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani The second part of the program focused on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Reporting Standards. SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Katrina F. Francisco provided an overview of the IFRS S1 and S2 and a more a detailed discussion of the former. EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani provided a more in-depth discussion of the IFRS S2 and climate-related disclosures. KFF and Praveen also provided updates on the local adoption of these standards and their content requirements.  (From left to right) GCNP Chairperson Ma. Victoria "Vickie" Tan, CCaSS Partner Katrina Francisco, CCaSS Senior Manager Kevin Henson, CCaSS Senior Manager Fernando Salud, GCNP Vice-Chairperson Yayu Javier, and EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani Sustainability Summit participants CCaSS Senior Managers Kevin Henson and Fernando Jose Salud talked about climate risk assessment for physical and transitions risks in relation to climate-related disclosures. They also discussed climate hazards with relevant data and parameters and their potential impacts on businesses.

SGV was recognized by the Chinese Enterprises Philippine Association (CEPA) as Outstanding Partner during CEPA’s 2023 annual meeting and new year reception held at the Bonifacio Hall of Shangri-la the Fort, Manila on 16 December 2023. SGV Chinese Overseas Investment Network (COIN) Leader Fidela T. Isip-Reyes and SGV Assurance Partner Jonathan T. Bino received the award certificate on behalf of the Firm. SGV Assurance Partner Jonathan T. Bino and SGV COIN Leader Fidela T. Isip-Reyes (third and fourth from left) with the other CEPA awardees SGV Certificate of Award from CEPA Representatives from the Philippine government, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Office of the Special Presidential Envoy to China, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs, and Philippine National Police, among others, attended the event. Also present were Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines representatives Ambassador Huang Xilian and Minister Counsellor Yang Guoliang, Filipino-Chinese business community representatives and more than a hundred members of the CEPA.

SGV Partners and Managers participated in the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham) North Luzon Economic Briefing on Central Luzon's Regional Economic Situation and Development Outlook for 2024. Forty-five AmCham members attended the briefing held on 25 January 2024 at the SGV Clark office. Atty. Margaux introduces NEDA Region 3 Regional Director Nerrisa T. Esguerra SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula delivered the opening remarks and introduced the resource speakers from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 3: Regional Director Nerrisa T. Esguerra, Supervising Economic Development Specialist Jesito Ponio Jr., and Assistant Regional Director Divina Hope Vallejo. The NEDA speakers talked about the government’s initiatives to facilitate economic and social transformation in Central Luzon. NEDA Region 3 Regional Director Nerrisa T. Esguerra talks about Central Luzon's Regional Economic Situation and Development Outlook for 2024 SGV Consulting Partner Joseph Ian M. Canlas moderated the question-and-answer session with the speakers. AmCham North Luzon President Denise H.R. Molintas delivered the closing remarks. MG7 Leader Jose Pepito E. Zabat, Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño, Assurance Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, GCR Director David Jonathan Manalili, and Business Tax Associate Director Atty. Ma. Jeanne Therese Marasigan were also present during the event.

SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula and SGV Tax Partners Hentje Leo L. Leaño and Atty. Maria Margarita D. Mallari-Acaban were resource speakers in a seminar organized by the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA). Around 180 locators, other CILA members, and clients from Clark, Pampanga, Subic Bay, and Tarlac attended the event held at the SGV Clark office on 25 January 2024. Atty. Margaux discusses CREATE MORE Bill Leo discusses EOPT Act Atty. Marga discusses BEPS 2.0 CILA Director Joyce Manansala delivered the opening remarks. CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva introduced the speakers. Atty. Margaux, Leo, and Atty. Marga discussed the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act, the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS 2.0) project, and the CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Bill. Dr. Frankie moderated the question-and-answer sessions and shared his insights on the topics discussed. He also gave the closing remarks. Leo, Tan, Atty. Margaux, Atty. Marga, CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva, Leo, and Peps MG7 Leader Jose Pepito “Peps” E. Zabat, Assurance Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Director David Jonathan “Tan” Manalili, and Business Tax Associate Director Atty. Ma. Jeanne Therese Marasigan were also present during the event.

SGV Davao hosted the “Symposium for Business Owners: Bringing your Business to the Next Level” at the SGV Davao office. The symposium featured SGV Partners and was attended by family business owners. SGV Davao Partner-in-Charge Jose Raoul J. Balisalisa hosted the event.  SGV Davao symposium participants SGV Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Partner Anna Maria Rubi B. Diaz talked about Finance Remediation while Philippine FAAS Leader Aris C. Malantic and MG4 Leader Veronica R. Pore (VRP) served as panelists for the event. SGV Business Tax Services (BTS) Partner Karen Kaye M. Sta. Maria-Constantino, Global Compliance & Reporting (GCR) Partner Saha A. Bulagsak, Business Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña and Assurance Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte talked about Corporate Restructuring, Tax Health Check, Process Improvement and Sustainability Reporting, respectively. The event included business consultations with the key speakers to address the participants’ business concerns.

The SGV Tax Markets Pillar held an Executive Briefing for client executives on the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Bill at the WSDC Training Rooms on 15 January 2024. More than 120 executives and officers from various industries attended the event. Atty. Fame (right) talks about the EOPT Act SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan delivered the opening remarks. SGV Tax Leader Atty. Fabian “Fame” K. Delos Santos and Philippine Quantitative Services Leader and Asean Tax Transformation Leader Atty. Cheryl Edeline C. Ong were the key speakers for the event. They talked about the EOPT Act and CREATE MORE Bill, respectively. Cheryl talks about the CREATE MORE Bill SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz gave the closing remarks. Cocktails with the clients were held after the event. The event provided an avenue for the SGV Tax team to reconnect with C-Suite executives and to share their insights on tax developments and the relevant business impacts.  The SGV Tax Markets Pillar, led by SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge Tax Partner Margaux A. Advincula, organized the executive briefing. The following Tax Partners and Principals also form part of the team: Frances Rose J. Villamayor, Lee Celso R. Vivas, Arlyn A. Sarmiento-Sy, Karen Kaye M. Sta. Maria-Constantino, Ana Katrina C. de Jesus, Donna Frances G. Ylade-Torres, and Cecille M. Santillan-Visto.  Tax Senior Managers Earvin Darren L. Lee, Joan Rouella P. Corrales, Anne E. Momongan-Lim, Gerardo C. Caiga, and Yzrael Edwin V. Pineda, Tax Managers Ma. Alexandria M. Daileg, Grace Lilac S. Desuasido, and Abegaile Marie L. Lebiga, and Tax Senior Nino Louis M. Belarma helped organize the briefing. In view of overwhelming interest from clients, the SGV Tax Markets Pillar will conduct additional executive briefings that will run in February and March 2024.

SGV Consulting Partner and EY Asean Core Consulting Quality Leader Joseph Ian M. Canlas received the 2023 Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award (MOKA) Emerging Category for Finance. Ian was recognized for his exemplary achievements and contributions and for continuing to embody the ideals of a true Kapampangan. He received the award during the 452nd founding anniversary of the province of Pampanga on 11 December 2023. 2023 Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awardee for Finance Joseph Ian M. Canlas (center) “Beyond being a CPA, I strived and became the professional I am today — an external and internal auditor, consultant in risk/compliance management, internal controls, and corporate governance, among others, for both public and private sectors. It is my passion and I advocate for initiatives related to ESG or Sustainability. I hope to be an example that you can do more beyond your original profession,” Ian said. Ian (center) with Assurance Senior Manager Leo Niño R. Canlas (left) and SGV Clark Head and Partner-in-Charge Margaux A. Advincula Ian believes that companies should be mindful of people being the heart of organizations; their clear purpose, initiatives on environment, and social and governance should be given more of a spotlight through non-financial reports such as sustainability reports. Ian was honored alongside 12 other MOKA awardees. The MOKA is an annual search for Kapampangans who excel in their respective endeavors or professions. The MOKA Award is perceived as the pinnacle of all awards conferred by the Province of Pampanga to its outstanding sons and daughters. Congratulations, Ian!

SGV Partners Jose Pepito E. Zabat, Eleanore A. Layug, Hentje Leo L. Leaño, and Peter John R. Ventura, and Market Group (MG) 7 Assurance and Tax Managers participated in the 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) at the CAP–John Hay Trade and Cultural Center in Baguio City.  SGV Partners Jose Pepito E. Zabat, Eleanore A. Layug, and Peter John R. Ventura, and MG7 Senior Managers with PMSEA President and ASEAN Eng. Luis R. Sarmiento The conference featured mining exhibits, a youth congress, mine safety field demonstrations and competitions, and mining, metallurgical, geological, and environmental symposia. The Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award for the best mining practices in the Philippines was also conferred during the event. SGV Partners Jose Pepito E. Zabat, Eleanore A. Layug, and Hentje Leo L. Leaño, and MG7 Assurance and Tax Managers The Philippine Mine and Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) in cooperation with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) organized the conference, which was attended by representatives from mining companies, regulators and local government units, and other industry stakeholders. PMSEA is a volunteer organization that promotes best practices in the areas of occupational health and safety, sound environmental management, and social development among mining companies operating in the Philippines.

SGV’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team hosted a webinar titled “Navigating the new frontier of sustainability standards: SGV Insight Session on the ISSB Standards.” The session aimed to impart key insights about the recently published International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Disclosure Standards or International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Standards. ISSB Member Bing Leng and SGV CCaSS Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte during the fireside chat Speakers and panelists shared their insights on the ISSB Standards, sustainability disclosures, and their impact on the sustainability reporting landscape from the viewpoint of a regulator, corporate reporter, a standard-setting body, and a professional services firm. ISSB Member Bing Leng discusses the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards The session’s keynote speaker was ISSB Member Bing Leng. He talked about the development journey of the ISSB Standards and reliefs to support adoption. He also participated in a fireside chat moderated by SGV CCaSS Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte on ISSB key consultation results and support to jurisdictional adoption of ISSB Standards. (First row L–R) GRI Country Manager – Philippines Katreen Pillejera, AEV First Vice President – Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, and SGV Consulting Partner Joseph Ian M. Canlas; (Second row L–R) Gokongwei Group Sustainability Head Yvonne Purisima, FSO Leader Christian G. Lauron, and PH SEC Atty. Rachel Remalante The panelists for the forum were Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Philippines Country Manager Ma. Katreena Pillejera, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Corporate Governance and Finance Department Director Atty. Rachel Esther J. Gumtang-Remalante, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) First Vice President - Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros-Malvar, Gokongwei Group Head of Sustainability Yvonne Flores, and SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Leader Christian G. Lauron. SGV Consulting Partner Joseph Ian M. Canlas moderated the fireside chat. CCaSS Manager Jouelle M. Nerveza led the organizing team composed of Manager Ricardo S. Maulion, Senior Associates Marsha P. Batusbatusan and Goldianne M. Madriaga, and Associates Emmanuel D. Regondola and Caryll Joy C. Franco. CCaSS Senior Manager Crystal Aleli R. Cornell served as the session’s host and was also part of the organizing team.