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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 signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Surigao Del Norte Provincial Government to produce the Doing Business in Surigao del Norte publication. The MOA was signed on 8 August 2023 by SGV Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan and Provincial Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers. SGV and Surigao Del Norte MOA signing  District II Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers, Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves L. Dumlao II, and SGV Strategy and Transactions Partner and Government and Public Sector Leader Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed signed the MOA as witnesses.  SGV Partners and Surigao Del Norte public officials during the MOA signing Wilson delivered the welcome remarks, while Governor Robert, Mayor Pablo and District II Congressman Robert gave short messages. Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz, EY Asean Consulting Quality Leader Joseph Ian M. Canlas, Financial Services Organization (FSO) Leader Christian G. Lauron, and Global Compliance & Reporting (GCR) Partner Saha A. Bulagsak were also present during the MOA signing. The Doing Business in Surigao Del Norte publication is part of SGV’s Doing Business in the Philippines series. The publication aims to provide comprehensive information about the business climate, investment opportunities, and regulatory framework in Surigao Del Norte. It will serve as a valuable resource for local and foreign investors looking to explore the province's potential for economic growth. 

SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan and Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed represented SGV at the contract signing with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on 18 August 2023. SGV is one of the professional services firms undertaking feasibility studies on various transportation transformation projects. SGV will be undertaking a feasibility study for the Manila Bay – Pasig River – Laguna Lake Ferry System project. (From left to right) Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, EY Singapore Partner Lynn Tho, and USEC TJ Batan at the contract signing Other signatories and attendees included DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, USEC TJ Batan, PPP Center Executive Director Ma. Cynthia Hernandez, PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Eli Ricote, EY Singapore Partner Lynn Tho, representatives from other consultants, and other officials of the PPP Center and the DOTr.

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, represented by Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan and Consulting Partner and iTeach Program Director Allan W. Ocho, and PHINMA Education Holdings, Inc., represented by Country Head Christopher Tan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 8 August 2023 for PHINMA schools to participate in the SGV iTeach Program. Signing the MOU are (from left to right) SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz, Consulting Partner and iTeach Program Director Allan W. Ocho, SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, PHINMA Education Country Head Christopher Tan, and PHINMA Araullo University College of Management and Accountancy Dean Emerita Modesto. The SGV iTeach Program aligns with the Firm's commitment to continue its late founder Mr. Washington SyCip's advocacy for lifelong learning. The advocacy program aims to enable educators by updating them on the latest accountancy and technology trends and helping them bridge the gap between theoretical principles and actual practice. This includes collaborations with schools and professional organizations to facilitate training and workshops, provide inputs to the schools' programs, curricula and syllabi, develop case studies, and provide guest lecturers. Present in the photo are (from left to right) SGV Senior Director Elvin Mercader, SGV Assurance Leader Martin C. Guantes, Consulting Partner and iTeach Program Director Allan W. Ocho, SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz, SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT), PHINMA Education Country Head Christopher Tan, PHINMA Araullo University College of Management and Accountancy Dean Emerita Modesto, PHINMA Education Country Chief Learning Officer Glenn Laigo, PHINMA Araullo University Dean Marvin Salviejo, SGV Assurance Partner Belinda T. Beng Hui, and SGV Business Consulting Senior Jervie Sta. Ana. In addition to providing training and workshops, SGV also explores the possibility of an online community where educators can come together to share best practices. To date, the SGV iTeach Program has been able to reach out to and build awareness with around 7,000 teachers, students, and other professionals across the country.  The MOU signing took place at the SGV Museum at Shang Grand Tower, Makati City. Dean Emerita Modesto of the College of Management and Accountancy of PHINMA Araullo University and SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian Ruiz acted as witnesses. Also in attendance were SGV Assurance Leader Martin Guantes, SGV Assurance Partner Belinda T. Beng Hui, SGV Senior Director Elvin Mercader, SGV Business Consulting Senior Jervie Sta. Ana, PHINMA Education Country Chief Learning Officer Glenn Laigo, and Dean Marvin Salviejo of PHINMA Araullo University.

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla served as a resource speaker at the General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the Association of Hotel and Restaurants Finance Officers of the Philippines (AHARFOPHIL) on 27 July 2023 at Ascott Bonifacio Global City. Finance and accounting officers of member restaurants and hotel properties across the Philippines attended the meeting. SGV GCR Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla at the AHARFOPHIL GMM Meynard talked about common BIR findings for hotels and restaurants and provided relevant tax updates applicable to the hospitality industry. He also discussed the pending bill on taxation of digital services and its implications for hotel and restaurant operators. Sonia (third from left) with Meynard (center) as he accepts his certificate of appreciation from AHARFOPHIL Market Group (MG) 7 Leader Jose Pepito E. Zabat, GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia, and Senior Managers Grail B. Ragos and Marc Bonnie B. Wong were also present at the GMM.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Associate Raymond R. Paras was a resource speaker at the Mapúa University webinar entitled “Driving Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality: Empowering the Next Generation for a Greener Future” held via Zoom on 29 July 2023. More than 230 participants, composed of students from various local and international universities, educators, industry professionals, and participants from non-government organizations (NGOs) and government agencies attended the webinar. Webinar poster Raymond presented an overview of sustainability where he discussed its definition, pillars, the driving forces that kickstart initiatives and meaningful actions toward sustainable development, and global and local regulatory developments in relation to sustainability reporting. CCaSS Senior Associate Raymond Paras during the webinar He talked about the awareness of different generations on environmental issues and how governments, organizations, and communities can help mitigate their impact. He noted various sources of information that play an increasingly important role in how individuals, across all generations, perceive and react to information. He also described some initiatives of SGV’s Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council such as the SAVE4Water Project and the reusable-clothes donation drive in April 2023. Webinar participants Raymond also discussed actions that can be taken by various generations to build a more sustainable future, including some scenario analysis for the participants. A Q&A session was conducted after the presentation where participants asked for advice on how they can provide sustainable solutions in partnership with local communities. The webinar was conducted in line with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 13 (Climate Action) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It aimed to equip and inspire participants to create a sustainable and carbon-neutral world.

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.

Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Angeles City Chapter officers paid a courtesy call on SGV Clark Partners and staff on 21 July 2023. SGV Clark team with PICPA officers The SGV Clark team was led by SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge Margaux A. Advincula. Members included MG7 Leader Jose Pepito Zabat, Tax Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño, Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, Associate Directors David Jonathan Manalili, Ezra Yumul, and Elgina Rito, and Senior Associate Angelie Marcelo. They met with PICPA Angeles City Chapter President Aira Vanessa Berces-De Guzman, Public Practice Director Marielle Pamintuan-Palo, Commerce and Industry Director Julyn Nyril Tiatco-Santos, PICPA Angeles City Secretarial Leilani Pablico, and Treasurer Donald Yanga. The teams discussed possible projects, programs, collaborations, and thought leadership activities between the PICPA Angeles City Chapter and SGV Clark. 

SGV Baguio conducted a two-day Tax Compliance Seminar from 27 to 28 July 2023 at the Venus Parkview Hotel, Baguio City. The seminar discussions focused on the taxation of local accounts payable (AP) process and tax assessment backroom support. It also highlighted the strict rules on substantiation for input VAT and income tax purposes. Eighty-eight participants from various companies attended the event.Leo at the Tax Compliance Seminar SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño discussed the basic concepts of input value-added tax (VAT), guidance in determining the proper expanded withholding tax (EWT) base and applicable EWT rates on local purchase transactions, and rules in claiming income tax deductions. He also provided a bonus discussion on the preparation of documents and information for tax assessments. Leo facilitates interactive exercises