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The SGV 1 and SGV 2 buildings were recognized by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) as the first Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Precertified facilities in the Philippines. This recognition highlights SGV's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship and marks the beginning of its path to full TRUE Certification for Zero Waste.  SGV 1 and 2 buildings This initiative is part of the environmental efforts of the SGV Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council as the Firm adopts and redefines better ways of doing business, particularly in pursuing and achieving its zero-waste goals while becoming a more resource-efficient organization. GBCI is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body. Its TRUE Certification for Zero Waste program strives to change the way materials flow through society while ensuring that all products are eventually reused and diverted from landfill, incineration (waste-to-energy), and the environment. 

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin “Benjie” N. Villacorte was a keynote speaker at the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Forum Workshop on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) held at the Spaces World Plaza in Taguig City. The event was attended by various industry leaders and representatives from manufacturers, importers, and distributors of consumer products, as well as waste diverter partners. Benjie (far right) answers questions from the audience in a panel discussion, alongside (from left to right) Atty. Jonas Leones, Mr. Crispian Lao, and Atty. Angela Edralin-Valencia Bejie’s discussion focused on the EPR Compliance Audit Report requirements, the assurance process, and the role of SGV as an independent third-party auditor for entities in the EPR ecosystem. He also served as one of the panelists in an open forum, together with DENR Undersecretary Atty. Jonas Leones, National Solid Waste Commission Vice Chair Crispian Lao, and Ecoloop Director Atty. Angela Edralin-Valencia. Benjie was also joined by SGV Manager Charmaine T. Dialde and Senior Associate Keith S. Celebre who facilitated the workshop alongside ECCP. Charmaine and Keith addressed questions and clarifications from the participants about the EPR law and its implementing rules and regulations. The program concluded with a workshop, where the attendees exchanged ideas on how to establish their EPR programs, either as an individual entity or through a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), for the effective implementation of the EPR law in their respective companies. 

SGV Clark Partner-In-Charge Atty. Margaux A. Advincula and SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño were speakers in the Tax Compliance Seminar hosted by the Philippine Stationers Association, Inc. (PSAI) held on 9 August 2023 at the Diamond Hotel Manila. Leo (left) and Margaux (right) with PSAI officers Leo and Margaux discussed common tax compliance issues encountered by taxpayers. They provided tips on dealing with Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) audits and updates on recent tax-related issuances from the BIR.

SGV Indirect Tax (IDT) Principal Atty. Alden C. Labaguis and Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Senior Director Marivic “Mavic” M. Rebulanan served as resource speakers at the in-person training event organized by the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) for the Association of SEIPI Finance Executives (ASEFEX), in collaboration with SGV. Approximately 60 ASEFEX members, including SEIPI partners and stakeholders attended the training, which was held at the Washington SyCip Development Center (WSDC) Training Rooms, SGV I Building in Makati City. Event poster Mavic kicked off the training with a discussion on the significance of Transformative Tax Compliance requirements. She provided updates from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regarding invoicing and receipting requirements, the proper income tax treatment of equity-based compensation, the creditable input tax on capital goods, and the relevant tax changes in 2023. Alden discussed and compared the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and BIR’s audit processes, along with recent implementing rules and regulations, including crucial dates to remember and the remedies available to taxpayers and importers throughout the audit process, while also highlighting the significant differences between BIR and BOC audits. He further shared the latest developments and issuances related to BIR and BOC audits, including notable cases decided by the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) and the Supreme Court (SC). Technology Sector Leader and Assurance Partner Manolito R. Elle and Alden led the coordination of the training, while IDT Associate Director Atty. Lauren Antonette M. Mendoza, and IDT Senior Associates Attys. Kierk Robin M. Ret and Natividad G. Busa formed part of the organizing team.

SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge Atty. Margaux A. Advincula was a resource speaker at the 2023 2nd Quarter General Membership Meeting (GMM) organized by the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) held at the Summerset Ballroom, Old Royce Hotel in Clark, Pampanga on 31 July 2023. The meeting brought together business owners and investors, as well as prominent business leaders in Clark, Pampanga.  Atty. Margaux at the 2023 CILA 2nd Quarter GMM CILA President Dr. Francisco Villanueva Jr. introduced Atty. Margaux as the resource speaker and initiated the discussion on updates on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) and related Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Issuances, which were included in his President’s Report. He also highlighted the various meetings conducted by CILA in its efforts to reach out to as many people and organizations within the ambit of concerned government agencies such as the Department of Finance (DOF) and the BIR. Atty. Margaux (center) receives certificate and token of appreciation from CILA, represented by its President Dr. Frankie Villanueva (left) and Vice Chairman Radito Tuazon (right) Atty. Margaux led the discussion on updates regarding the CREATE Act and its IRR and recent BIR issuances with a particular focus on the provisions related to the VAT exemption on importation and VAT zero-rating on local purchases by Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs).  (From left to right) Dir. Darwin Malinit, CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva, BOC Collector Atty. Noe L. Espenilla Jr., Atty. Margaux, CILA Executive Vice President Evelyn Yumul, and Dir. Froilanda Rodriguez Atty. Margaux was joined by Business Tax Advisory (BTA) Senior Associate Atty. Jessica Ella S. Lagman. 

SGVeans participated in the 2023 Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants Metro Manila Region (PICPA MMR) Annual Planning Conference (APC) held at the Baguio Country Club in Baguio City. CPAs representing the Metro Manila region, geographical area office (GAO), and chapters gathered to plan for fiscal year 2023-2024. SGV was one of the gold sponsors of the event. SGV Current and Alumni Partners at the Induction and Turnover Ceremonies PICPA MMR Council Chairman and Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Leader Sonia D. Segovia along with former PICPA National President Marydith C. Miguel and other SGV Partners Henry M. Tan, John T. Villa, Peter John R. Ventura, Meynard A. Bonoen, Shane D. Tanguin, Aileen L. Saringan, Emelita L. Villanueva, Maricris U. See, Hentje Leo L. Leaño, Francis J. Ricamora, Michael A. Madlangbayan, and Don Don T. Mojica attended the two-day conference. They were also joined by Alumni Partners Gerard B. Sanvictores and Leonardo J. Matignas. Meynard and Sonia with other SGV attendees  Tax Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla led the APC Committee as its Chairman. Other SGV attendees were Tax Senior Director Marivic M. Rebulanan, Tax Associate Directors Arviey L. Agra and Mica Alyana C. Rivera, Assurance Director Leo Nino F. Punzalan, Assurance Associate Directors Strawberry F. Eduarte and Michelle Joy P. Lopez, Tax Senior Associates Leanne Aila T. Monserate and Daryll A. Calatong, and Tax Associates Rob Miguel C. Manapsal, Dan Ryan A. Tabifranca, and Rachelle Viola L. Romualdo. Induction of PICPA MMR Council officers FY23 The 2023 PICPA MMR APC delegates participated in numerous technical sessions and planning events. The session focused on collaboration and teaming, integrative leadership, reinforcing integrity and professionalism, the importance of discipline, and understanding the roles of the officers with respect to the organization and its members.

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partners Hentje Leo L. Leaño and Joanna T. Dela Chica were resource speakers on the topic of Value-Added Tax (VAT) in SGV Makati’s Tax Basics Seminars (Tax BaSe) series held at the Washington SyCip Development Center (WSDC). Leo was also a speaker in the Clark leg of the series held at the SGV Clark Office. There were 133 participants in Makati and 60 in Clark. Leo discusses CREATE Act VAT updates Joanna (left) discusses input VAT substantiation requirements The sessions focused on providing the participants with an updated and in-depth understanding of the basic concepts of VAT and the VAT filing and administrative requirements. Leo and Joanna’s discussions highlighted the VAT provisions of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act and updates on the related BIR issuances, especially their impact on Ecozone locators. For the Clark sessions, Leo focused on the impact on entities registered with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and other Ecozone locators. Leo (right) at the Clark leg of the SGV Tax BaSe series SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge Atty. Margaux A. Advincula delivered the opening remarks, while Market Group 7 Leader Jose Pepito E. Zabat delivered the welcome remarks in Clark.

SGV Consulting Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz together with Manager Reymark Lazo and Seniors Renz Criste and Karla Espina joined the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) webinar titled “Spotlight on Commerce and Industry – Emergence of AI to Accountancy Profession” organized by the PICPA Quezon Province Chapter via Zoom. Sixty participants from public practice, academe, and commerce and industry sectors attended the webinar. Conrad’s speaker slide Conrad shared his insights on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently shaping the accounting profession across all four accounting sectors – Public Practice, Commerce and Industry, Government, and Education. He discussed the definition of AI and provided a brief background on its evolution. He also demonstrated basic prompts in using ChatGPT, an AI-enabled tool. He provided sample use cases and relevant news on how AI is being used in each accounting sector. He also further elaborated on the key considerations, advantages, and disadvantages of using AI technology.  Conrad concluded the discussion by emphasizing that AI is transforming accountants' roles and skills, necessitating upskilling and training. He also suggested that accountants embrace AI, adopt a culture of innovation, and seek continuous improvement. He also highlighted that while AI offers increased efficiency and decision-making, it also presents challenges like upskilling and training, as well as concerns for trust, safety, and privacy.

The Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team closed FY23 by observing Philippine Environment Month through a Sustainabits session on e-waste. The session, entitled “Reduce, Reuse, E-Cyle: E-waste management and handling” aimed to advance the audience’s knowledge on Circular Economy by tackling the fastest growing yet valuable waste stream of electronic waste. CCaSS team (right) during the Sustainabits session Business Consulting and CCaSS Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz welcomed more than 200 attendees and reiterated the importance of contributing to a circular economy by being mindful of e-waste. He urged the audience to share their knowledge with their communities to create a greater impact on the environment. CCaSS Manager Carla Capistrano, Senior Associate KC Corpus, and Associate Marianne Velasco continued the session with their respective discussions. Marianne talked about the definition of e-waste, the types of e-waste and the problem with its over-production versus its low collection rates. Carla then talked about the Tokyo 2020 Medal Project as a case study of e-waste management and recovery of precious metals. KC discussed local e-waste initiatives and urged everyone to practice proper e-waste management through reducing, reusing, and recycling. These include maintaining electronics, re-evaluating purchases, buying used gadgets, and recycling or disposing of them properly by their end-of-life. The session was capped off with a call for the audience’s re-commitment toward responsible action for proper waste management, building on a prior CCaSS session on Circular Economy. The SAVE Council’s Sustainabits initiative is a series of half-hour webcasts covering ideas, movements, principles, and leading industry practices regarding sustainability, social equity, and climate change. 

SGV’s Financial Services Organization (FSO) team hosted its fourth episode of FStOries with the theme “A Mother’s Unconditional Love” simultaneously at the e-Café and via MS Teams. In celebration of Mother’s Day, it featured Partners who are also mothers. More than 100 participants attended the event. (From left to right) Francis, Janeth, Marga, and Janet at the FStOries Episode 4 session FSO Leader Christian G. Lauron welcomed the participants to the event. FSO Assurance Leader Janet S. Alvarado-Paraiso and FSO International Tax and Transaction Services (ITTS) Advisory Principal Ma. Margarita “Marga” D. Mallari-Acaban were the panelists while Wealth & Asset Management (WAM) Leader Ray Francis C. Balagtas served as the moderator. FSO Partners with in-person participants Janet and Marga talked about the challenges, lessons, and memorable experiences that come with motherhood and shared some advice which helped them get through difficult times. They also talked about their motivation to move forward and advance their careers as professionals concurrent with their commitments and responsibilities at home.  Banking & Capital Markets (BCM) Leader and FSO People Champion Janeth Nuñez-Javier delivered the closing remarks, where she thanked everyone for attending the event. There were also treats served after the session.