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SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Glenda C. Anisco-Niño was a speaker in the “Empowering Young Professionals: Navigating Sustainable Finance for a Bright Future” sustainable finance event hosted by The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham). (From left to right) AmCham Young Professionals Co-Chair Atty. Alden C. Labaguis (ACL), SGV FSO CCaSS Partner Glenda C. Anisco-Niño, AmCham Financial Services, Taxes and Tariffs Co-Chair and BDO Unibank, Inc. Senior Vice President & Head of Financial Institutions Rombit Co, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Atty. Kelvin Lester Lee, AmCham Young Professionals Co-Chair Atty. Paolo Villonco, and Sierra Madre Investment Partner Gregory Rivera Glenda talked about the economic statistics of sustainable finance on companies and consumers. She emphasized the importance and benefits of sustainable finance to meet the global goal of attaining a sustainable world. Glenda also touched on the drivers of sustainability, creating long-term value, business benefits of integrating sustainability, key drivers of sustainable finance, the Philippine sustainable-finance ecosystem, sustainable-finance products, advantages and disadvantages of purchasing sustainable-finance products, most promising sectors for green bond investments, and main obstacles preventing investment in green bonds. Glenda was joined by SEC Commissioner Atty. Kelvin Lester Lee and Sierra Madre Private Equity Investment Partner Gregory Rivera. They talked about the climate change regulatory landscape and outlook, investments, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG), respectively. AmCham’s Young Professionals (YP) and Financial Services, Taxes, and Tariffs (FSTT) Committees organized the event.

SGV Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo was one of the speakers at the 8th Mindanao Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Cluster Conference, with the theme “Accelerating SMART CITY in Mindanao: Built on connectivity and cybersecurity.” The conference was held from 18 to 19 October 2023 in Butuan City. Rossana at the 8th Mindanao ICT Cluster Conference Rossana’s talk shed light on the remarkable intersection between women and technology, showcasing the invaluable role that women play in today’s innovation and digital advancement-driven technology industry. She also shared recommendations for closing gender disparities in the field of technology.  She highlighted SGV and EY initiatives to support and empower women in technology, such as the Women in Technology (WiT) program and the EY STEM app. Rossana with Caraga ICT Cluster Inc. President and Butuan City Councilor Cherry May G. Busa The WiT program is a comprehensive and inclusive endeavor aimed at supporting girls and women to explore, excel, and lead in the world of technology. It includes educational programs to promote and develop girls' interest and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), incubation efforts to nurture women's leadership potential in technology, support for female tech entrepreneurs, and the innovative fostering of a diverse and empowered technical workforce. The EY STEM app is an interactive platform which aims to inspire young girls to pursue STEM professions by offering gamified content focused on science and technology. This educational tool has already been successfully deployed in New Delhi, Seattle and Atlanta, as well as in other locations in Oceania, India and the Philippines. SGV is currently in discussions with a school to roll out the EY STEM app in Mindanao. Rossana’s talk also aligned with the launch of Butuan City's SMART Gender and Development (GAD) Code, which sets the stage for a gender-responsive, inclusive, digitally resilient, and safe environment in the city.

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SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Technology Consulting Principal Anurag Mishra was a speaker at the 2023 Asian Banking and Finance forum. It was attended by regulators, prominent bankers, and industry experts. Anurag (left) at the 2023 Asian Banking and Finance forum Anurag talked about embedded finance, digitalization, buy now, pay later (BNPL), loyalty programs, and how hyper-personalization enhances customer experience and engagement. He also discussed the risks associated with these programs as well as how engaged customers drive product improvements and revenues and is a market differentiator. He emphasized the role of regulators in ensuring fair practices, protecting customer data, and promoting transparency in loyalty programs. 

SGV Partners and Managers joined the 2023 Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Geographical Area Office (GAO) Tax Conference with the theme “Beyond Numbers: Reinforcing the Roles of Regulators and Accountants for Effective Tax Compliance.” The event was held from 14 to 15 September at the Century Park Hotel Grand Ballroom in Malate, Manila. Around 400 participants per day attended the event. Group photo with Earvin, Sonia, Crissee and Meynard PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia and Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris “Crissee” U. See led the PICPA MMR GAO team. Tax Conference Committee Co-Chair Meynard Sardalla and Tax Conference Committee Member Earvin Darren Lee were the Masters of Ceremonies during the event. MUS discussed the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR’s) 2023 Priority Plans highlighting its Digital Transformation Program, as well as its focus on Taxpayer Services, and Audit and Enforcement Program. Philippines and Asean Business Tax Services (BTS) Leader Jules E. Riego capped off Day 1 with his discussion on “How to Properly Manage a Tax Audit.” He highlighted the basic procedures of a tax audit, cited real cases, and provided tips in handling various situations which may occur during a BIR tax audit. Jules discussing the BIR tax audit process SGV Tax Partners Atty. Margaux A. Advincula and Atty. Cherry Liez Rafal-Roble were panelists in a roundtable discussion covering fake receipts and ghost companies in fake transactions. MUS moderated the roundtable discussion. Earvin presents certificates and tokens of appreciation to Crissee, Liez, and Margaux Margaux also joined another roundtable discussion which covered hot tax topics and some controversial taxpayer issues and concerns. 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. SGV Tax Partners Atty. Tesi Lou Guanzon and Jay Ballesteros also joined the conference. The conference was also graced with the presence of Albay Representative Hon. Jose “Joey” Salceda and the virtual presence of BIR Commissioner Hon. Romeo “Jun” Lumagui, Jr. As the conference’s guest speakers, they answered tax questions and tax concerns from the participants.

SGV Chairman and Managing Partner and Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) President Wilson P. Tan was featured in CNN Philippines’s The Final Word on 28 September 2023.  Wilson during the interview He gave an overview on the FINEX Week which was held from 2 to 6 October 2023, where online and in-person sessions engaged participants around resilience and recalibrating their sustainable growth strategies while navigating the uncertainties prevailing in the present business environment. Wilson was joined by FINEX Week Committee Co-Chairperson Mailene Bisnar. Wilson’s interview can be viewed here.

SGV Chairman and Managing Partner and Philippine Financial and Sustainability Reporting Standards Council (PFSRSC) Chairman Wilson P. Tan attended the World Standard-setters Conference organized by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation from 25 to 26 September 2023 in London. The conference provided national standard-setters with updates on the IFRS Foundation’s activities, panel discussions, interactive Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities with fellow delegates. (From left to right) SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, IASB Board Member Jianqiao Lu, PH SEC – OGA Atty. Noel Artiza, and IASB Technical Staff and SGV Alumnus Jan Carlo Pereras Wilson was joined by International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) Board Member Jianqiao Lu, Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) General Accountant Atty. Noel Artiza, and IASB Technical Staff and SGV Alumnus Jan Carlo Pereras. 

SGV was one of the sponsors of the ISACA Manila annual conference held at Okada Manila from 13 to 14 September 2023. SGV Consulting Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia delivered a plenary talk on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its benefits and risks. With the theme “Navigating the Future: Building Digital Trust through Effective IT Governance in the era of Innovate Tech,” this year's conference highlighted the importance of building trust in the digital age and how AI and Information Technology (IT) Governance can play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Lee talks about Generative AI During the plenary session, Lee emphasized the need to be proactive in understanding what Generative AI is in order to maximize its potential and place guardrails on how it could transform the way we live. SGV team receives certificate of appreciation Consulting Senior Managers Aileen Uy and Michael Ignacio led the SGV Booth team with the help of Consulting team members Patricia Ann Dizon, Mydi Nuell Macatiag, Krisha Mae Vinzon, Ronald Cabatingan, and Criselle Angela David; and Pauline Mauleon from Talent. The hybrid conference was attended by 232 in-person and 61 virtual participants. It was organized by the ISACA Manila Chapter led by SGV Consulting Partner Allan W. Ocho who is also the Chapter President. SGV Consulting Senior Managers Elvin Mercader and Mark Javiero formed part of the conference organizing committee as the Program Director and Breakout Moderator, respectively.

SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan was a panelist at the Makati Business Club’s “A CEO Briefing: The State of Sustainability Reporting in the Philippines” on 18 September 2023. The briefing gathered club members, C-Suite level representatives, CSR, Operations, and Sustainability Officers from various organizations. Wilson (lower right) at the CEO briefing Wilson discussed current trends and developments in sustainability reporting and how International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards could impact future sustainability reporting. He reiterated the role of regulators, investors, and stakeholders in the need to communicate sustainability information.

SGV Tax Associate Shania Rose A. Lozano ranked 4th in the May – June 2023 US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. She also received the US CMA Distinguished Performance Award for her excellent scores on the exam. The results were announced on 20 September 2023.  SGV Tax Associate Shania Rose A. Lozano, CPA, CMA The CMA title is a credential that represents enhanced expertise in areas of accounting and finance, with competencies in strategic thinking, business analysis, and leadership. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Congratulations, Shania!