Information

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin “Benjie” N. Villacorte and Business Tax Services (BTS) Partner Atty. Cherry Liez O. Rafal-Roble were speakers in the 2nd World Clean Energy Philippines Conference + Expo 2023 held at the Novotel Hotel. Benjie and Liez talked about “Carbon Emissions Reduction: Replacing Fossil Fuels in Electricity Generation” and “Philippine Sustainability Laws, Incentives, and Taxation,” respectively.  Liez and Benjie at the at 2nd World Clean Energy Philippines Conference + Expo 2023 Benjie described decarbonization as one of the solutions in mitigating the effects of climate change. He also emphasized shifting to renewable energy as one of the means to securing a sustainable energy future. Liez discussed the impact of relevant legislation favoring cleaner energy sources. The event was organized by Escom Events.

Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Chair Sonia D. Segovia, with the assistance of PICPA MMR Professional Development Committee Chair Maricris “Crissee” U. See, organized the PICPA MMR’s Non-government Organization (NGO) Summit held from 11 to 12 September 2023 at the Century Park Hotel Manila. More than 160 participants attended the event. Sonia and Crissee (center) with the PICPA MMR NGO Summit speakers and panelists The summit’s theme was “Beyond Numbers: Building Resilience in NGOs through Effective Compliance, Governance and Financial Management.” The summit covered topics related to Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) accreditation process and guidelines, areas of evaluation, and the applicable taxes for NGOs. It also covered the tools or accounting systems for NGOs, tips on how to properly handle the challenges and risks faced by NGOs, and common issues encountered by NGOs in relation to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) matters. PICPA MMR NGO Summit attendees PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan and PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura introduced some of the speakers, while Crissee moderated the technical session on “Common Findings in Evaluating NGOs: Strategies for Addressing and Implementing Corrective Measures.” The roundtable discussion panelists comprised PCNC evaluators and executives from various companies. 

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Technology Consulting Principal Anurag Mishra was a panelist in the 2023 Temenos Cloud Forum for Philippine banking professionals. Anurag talked about banking transformation and explained that the cloud could help banks efficiently scale their operations and design more engaging customer experiences. Anurag (right) at the 2023 Temenos Cloud Forum for Philippine banking professionals “One of the most important shifts that is happening is on the customer side. Banking is going to transition while customers are demanding ‘hyper-personalization’ – and that requires new technologies. Today is the best time to shift from a technology perspective because the number of options to deliver on customer experience is huge and the cloud can solve specific problems,” Anurag said. Representatives from leading banks in the country also exchanged insights on key banking innovation trends, lifecycle banking, small and medium enterprise (SME) digital banking, and cloud banking.

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Technology Consulting Principal Anurag Mishra was a panelist in the inaugural Citi Philippines Securities Services forum organized by Citi Securities Services Philippines. Anurag was joined by Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila and Citi Philippines Securities Services Head Tiffin Tanseco.  Forum photos courtesy of Citi Securities Services Philippines Key asset managers and asset owners attended the forum, which also featured other speakers from The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE), the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Sun Life, and Citi subject matter experts. They covered topics on macroeconomics, intelligent operations, blockchain, digital assets, innovation, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG).

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla was the guest speaker at the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – Polytechnic University of the Philippines Taguig (JPIA-PUPT) Chapter year-end program held on 18 September 2023. Meynard delivered an inspirational talk to over 150 accountancy students. Meynard receives a certificate of appreciation from members of the JPIA-PUPT Chapter Meynard shared his experiences and struggles as an accounting professional and emphasized the importance of stewardship, grit, and vibrance in achieving goals and aspirations.  The year-end program recognized student leaders who have excelled in various leadership domains such as inclusivity, civic engagement, innovation, and other values of a professional accountant.

To celebrate the achievements of the Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) team and its members, the GCR team held a thanksgiving event with the theme “Proud2bGCR” at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center. All GCR clusters participated in the face-to-face event including staff from the Clark, Cebu, and Davao offices. SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan with the SGV GCR team The event commenced with a thanksgiving mass and was followed by a welcome message from SGV GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia, expressing her gratitude to the GCR team members for their dedication and successful undertakings in the past fiscal year (FY 2023).  GCR Partners with Fr. Marc Will Lim, SDB SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan graced the event and highlighted the GCR team’s impact on the Firm’s success throughout the years. Tax Leader Atty. Fabian K. Delos Santos shared how proud he was at how much the GCR team had grown over the years. ASEAN Tax Leader Amarjeet Singh and ASEAN GCR Leader Julian Wong also virtually delivered their messages of gratitude. SGV GCR Partners GCR team members participated in activities and games and showcased their talents during the TikTok and runway competitions. The event culminated with socials and a get-together among clusters. 

The SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) and Campus Recruitment teams organized and facilitated a tax review session for staff taking the September to October 2023 CPA Licensure Examination (CPALE). More than 200 participants from the different SGV offices attended the in-person sessions and more than 500 participants joined the virtual review sessions. SGV Makati tax review session organizers and participants GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia kicked off the tax review session. GCR Partner and Country Leader for Accounting Compliance and Reporting (ACR) and Global Payroll Operate (GPO) Aaron C. Escartin and GCR Partners Lee Celso R. Vivas and Maricris "Crissee" U. See discussed topics on Corporate Income Tax, Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other tax topics, respectively. After the lecture series, a short send-off activity was held for the board exam takers. Past CPALE topnotchers from the GCR team gave their respective testimonial messages. They shared their experiences and techniques on how to pass the board examination and overcome other challenges that came along with it.  Ace and Crissee (center) with the HR Core team and GCR Managers Crissee gave the closing remarks. She spearheaded the event along with Ace, GCR Tax Partner Hannah S. Rojo, GCR Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla, GCR Director Jao Renzo Mercado, and the Talent team composed of Julie Ann R. Rubia, Julia-Anne J. Deypalan, Julia D. Villaos, and Marina Beatrice P. Lopez. GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia guided the GCR team. They were also assisted by GCR People Pillar Managers – GCR Senior Director Fatma Aleah A. Datukon; GCR Directors Michelle T. Keng, Athena Mae R. Luce, and Leo I. Castillo; and GCR Associate Directors Stewart Herbie T. Po and Jan Lawrence G. Estrada. SGV Cebu tax review session organizers and participants SGV Davao tax review session organizers and participants GCR Partner Saha A. Bulagsak, Assurance Partner Jose Raoul J. Balisalisa and Assurance Senior Director Raphael Erickson M. De Leon led the teams in the SGV Cebu, Davao and Baguio offices, respectively. GCR Partners Francis J. Ricamora and Jay A. Ballesteros attended the sessions in the SGV Makati Office. 

The SGV Bacolod team conducted a tree planting and hiking activity on 16 September 2023 at the Gawahon Eco Park in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. The HIKE-UNA MATATA 2023 was conducted in observance of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, which is celebrated annually. SGV Bacolod team group photo Twenty-seven participants from the SGV Bacolod team planted a total of 100 bamboo seedlings. As part of the program, Assurance Associate Robert John F. Bacusa was also declared the Strava walkathon winner for walking 675.2km in the walkathon challenge conducted from 10 July to 8 September. SGV Bacolod team planting bamboo seedlings The Strava walkathon challenge aimed to encourage staff to be physically active and to consider walking instead of commuting. It also aimed to encourage staff to curb vehicle emissions by supporting activities such as walking, that would lessen ozone layer depleting substances.

SGV Consulting Senior Manager Mary Andrea Bacani and Managers Dexter Manabat and Jeffrey Yee participated in the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) Supply Chain Conference (SCC) 2023 with the theme “We are one supply chain setting transformation in motion.” Over 320 delegates attended the event held at the EDSA Shangri-la Manila from 21 to 22 September 2023.  SGV Consulting Senior Manager Mary Andrea Bacani and Managers Dexter Manabat and Jeffrey Yee  Speakers from the logistics and retail sectors and heads of supply chain solution providers talked about future-proofing the supply chain through technology and people, managing supply chain risk, exploring resilience, and fostering sustainability. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representatives discussed government strategic initiatives on supply chain and logistics. The SCMAP SCC is now on its 32nd year and is the premier event in the Philippines for supply chain professionals, drawing key players across the supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, logistics service providers, and other allied sectors.

SGV Cebu hosted the “Symposium for Business Owners: Strengthening Family Businesses for Generations to Come” on 20 September 2023 at the SGV Cebu Office. The symposium featured SGV Partners and was attended by business owners. Symposium attendees SGV Cebu Partner-in-Charge Margem A. Tagalog and Tax Leader Atty. Fabian K. Delos Santos gave their welcome remarks, while Tax Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong, Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Saha P. Adlawan-Bulagsak, Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña, Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Partner Aris C. Malantic, and Private Leader Kristopher S. Catalan talked about Corporate Restructuring, Tax Health Check, Business Transformation, Enhanced Financial Reporting, and Leading in Private Boards, respectively. The event also included free one-on-one consultations with the key speakers to address the participants’ business concerns.