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SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula (MAA) was a Q&A facilitator during the General Membership Meeting organized by The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham) North Luzon, which was held at the Clark Marriott Hotel, Clark, Pampanga on 17 January 2023. Atty. Margaux and Ms. Karen during the Q&A portion Atty. Margaux (second from left) with AmCham Philippines President Frank Thiel (leftmost), AmCham Philippines Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe (second from right), and a participant During the Q&A portion of the event. Atty. Margaux relayed questions to Business and Investment Department for Manufacturing and Maritime of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Department Manager Karen G. Magno regarding areas covered in Ms. Magno’s presentation at the meeting. The General Membership Meeting was attended by AmCham members from North Luzon. Among the attendees were AmCham North Luzon President Goeran Soelter, AmCham Philippines President Frank Thiel, and AmCham Philippines Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Katrina F. Francisco (KFF) was the resource speaker at the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) webinar on sustainability and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on 22 February 2023 via Zoom. Katrina talks about sustainability and SMEs Katrina discussed the definition of sustainable development, the benefits of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration, reasons for why sustainability is not entrenched in SMEs, and how SMEs can start their sustainable transformation journey. Katrina also covered the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving the SDGs, and how MSMEs contribute to the five SDGs goals, namely No Poverty (SDG 1), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) and Climate Action (SDG 13).

The SGV Tax team held the 2nd Business Tax Services (BTS) Forum at the Washington SyCip Development Center on 2 February 2023, with about 100 participants in attendance. The forum focused on the 2023 outlook from a tax perspective. EY Asean and SGV BTS Leader Jules E. Riego (JER), Office of the Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs Project Lead Rafael Jose Consing, Jr., Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz (VCR), and Tax Senior Director Atty. Cecille Visto Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz (VCR) kicked off the event by delivering her opening remarks. For the technical sessions, resource speakers from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Board of Investments (BOI), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) discussed Philippine economic updates, developments in the implementation of the ease of doing business law, and tax controversy trends.  SGV General Counsel and Tax Partner Atty. Carol A. Racelis (CAR), BIR Legal Service Assistant Commissioner Larry M. Barcelo, SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Margaux A. Advincula (MAA), Chief of the BIR Law and Legislative Division Atty. Juanito H. Balbastre III, and JER NEDA Director for National Policy and Planning Desiree Narvaez described economic growth despite the pandemic while BOI Executive Director Atty. Bobby Fondevilla of the Investment Assistance Center talked about the government’s programs to attract more investors in the Philippines. BIR Assistant Commissioner for Legal Service Atty. Larry Barcelo discussed pressing tax issues in line with the implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. Vivian delivers her opening remarks EY Asean Tax Leader Amarjeet Singh and EY Asean International Tax and Transactions Services Leader Chester Wee led the discussions on tax controversy trends in the ASEAN region and provided updates on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) 2.0. The forum was spearheaded by EY Asean and SGV BTS Leader Jules E. Riego (JER) and SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Margaux A. Advincula (MAA). SGV Quantitative Services Leader and Asean Tax Transformation Leader Cheryl Edeline C. Ong (CCO), SGV General Counsel and Asean Tax Quality Leader Carolina A. Racelis (CAR), and BTS Partner Tesi Lou S. Guanzon (TSG) moderated the sessions. Tax Senior Directors Donna Frances Ylade-Torres, Cecille Visto, and Salvador Rey from the Tax Markets team organized the event, with the support of Tax Senior Directors Michelle Arias, Jaclyn Ordoñez and June Catherine Tañedo; Directors Marian Santos and Kevin Paolo Magtibay; and Associate Directors Frederick Abella, Eden Mae Galas, Phillip Dave Cachapero, and Sheena Marie Morale. The BTS Forum is an annual thought leadership event organized by the BTS group specifically tailored for SGV clients and stakeholders, with well-curated up-to-date topics relevant to the participants. The second part of the BTS Forum, a roundtable meeting with the BIR Officers from Revenue Region 8B, was held on 8 March 2023.

SGV Clark Partner In-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula (MAA), Assurance Senior Director Leo Canlas, and Tax Senior Associate Atty. Fatima Kate Garo paid a courtesy call on Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino and Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) Executive Director Donna Tamayo on 25 January 2023. Assurance Senior Director Leo Canlas, SGV Clark Partner In-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula (MAA), SBMA Chairman and Administrator Mr. Rolen C. Paulino, Tax Senior Associate Atty. Fatima Kate Garo, and SBMA Account Officer Virgilio G. Valdez Atty. Margaux, SBMA Chair Paulino, and Atty. Fatima during the meeting Leo, SBFCC Director Marites Endaya, Atty. Margaux, SBFCC Executive Director Tamayo, and Atty. Fatima The SGV Clark team paid a visit to SBMA Chairman Paulino at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. They were accompanied by SBMA Account Officer Virgilio G. Valdez. The team also visited SBFCC and met with Executive Director Tamayo and Director Marites Endaya. The courtesy calls were in line with the preparation and planning for the various collaborative activities of SGV Clark, SBMA and SBFCC including the forthcoming launch of the Doing Business in Subic publication. 

The SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team, along with guest speakers from ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), hosted the third episode of the Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council's WebCCaSS for FY23 on 3 March 2023. The session, titled "Flip the Switch: Moving towards the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP)," informed SGVeans on the Firm’s transition to renewable energy, the benefits of switching to renewable energy through GEOP, and ways to responsibly manage individual electricity consumption.  Clairma delivers her opening remarks SGV Chief Sustainability Officer Clairma T. Mangangey (CTM) delivered her opening remarks and talked about the relevance and timeliness of renewable energy as a solution for climate change. The presenters during the session were CCaSS Manager Judd Tablazon, CCaSS Senior Associate Goldianne Madriaga, and CCaSS Associates Emmanuel Regondola and Annabel Coronel who covered topics on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and computing GHG emissions.   ACEN RES Assistant Vice President for Commercial Operations and Head of Account Management Ela Mina and ACEN RES Account Manager Jaime Dayrit talk about GEOP The event was also graced by ACEN RES Assistant Vice President for Commercial Operations and Head of Account Management Ela Mina, and ACEN RES Account Manager Jaime Dayrit who shared details about GEOP. They shared how the program will help reduce SGV’s emissions through the switch to renewable energy. The session concluded with a Declaration of Commitment called “A Plan Towards a Responsible Action” encouraging SGVeans to take a step toward responsible electricity consumption.

The Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team hosted a Sustainabits session on “Office Ergonomics: The Role of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) in Office Settings,” which aimed to orient and inform the SGV community on the importance of good working conditions. The virtual session was attended by 534 SGVeans. CCaSS Manager Brenda Estonanto, CCaSS Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz (CMA), and CCaSS Associate Eloisa Malaluan welcome the participants to the Sustainabits session Business Consulting and CCaSS Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz (CMA) welcomed everyone to the session and shared his personal experience on following basic Occupational Health and Safety policies. CCaSS Manager Brenda Estonanto supported by her team, CCaSS Senior Associate Francis Jemaiya Arce and CCaSS Associates Eloisa Jean Malaluan and Emmanuel Regondola, spearheaded the discussion.  CCaSS Associate Eloisa Malaluan discusses the basic definition of office ergonomics The session covered four main topics, namely, the basis for office safety, office hazards and preventive measures, office ergonomics, and the introduction of the CCaSS EHS solution cluster. The discussion began with a video clip showing how complacency is the breeding ground for accidents, then proceeded to some insights on the legislation and department orders focusing on ensuring a safe working environment. The second part focused on the types of hazards encountered in the office or at home, and how these hazards affect individuals, while the third part focused on ways to prevent injuries and how to eliminate these hazards.  The team also presented the potential risks of EHS-related concerns to businesses. The team discussed how the CCaSS EHS solution cluster could help businesses avoid these risks and damages by offering services that will help companies to manage EHS-related liabilities such as EHS Risk Assessment and Management, EHS Due Diligence, and EHS Management Consulting Services. To conclude the session, SGVeans were encouraged to show their commitment in promoting a safe working environment and make SGV a better working space for everyone.  For those who were not able to attend the session, the session recording can still be accessed through this link.  The Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council’s Sustainabits initiative is a half-hour webcast that covers ideas, movements, principles, and industry best practices around sustainability, social equity, and climate change.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Associate Jouelle Hannah Nerveza was the resource speaker in a seminar on sustainability with the theme “Refining Business Practices Through Sustainable Marketing.” The seminar was organized by the BSBA major in Marketing Management faculty of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila on 16 February 2023. Jouelle receives Certificate of Appreciation Jouelle introduced SGV, CCaSS, and SGV’s journey toward sustainability. She discussed the four pillars of sustainability - economic, environment, social and governance - and its drivers - regulators and government, investors, NGOs and communities, employees, customers, and private entities. She also shared the significant sustainability developments in the standards and guidance around sustainability reports.  Jouelle talked about examples of greenwashing, which is the practice of deceptive marketing to make an organization or product appear environmentally friendly, to help consumers identify products that make misleading environmental claims. She highlighted the importance of marketing professionals in the promotion and implementation of sustainable practices within the company or organization. She also emphasized the significance and principles of sustainable marketing and how it differs from traditional marketing. Jouelle wrapped up her presentation by sharing how marketing professionals can lead in the sustainability space. She also encouraged participants to begin their journey towards sustainability. 

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Engr. Keith S. Celebre was the technical resource speaker on “Sustainable Skylines: Low-carbon future of buildings and construction” at the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development webinar on 4 March 2023 via Zoom. The event was organized by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. – Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (PICE-EPSA) International Charter I-01 in collaboration with PICE-South Korea Chapter. Keith receives Certificate of Appreciation Keith during the Q&A portion Keith talked about the climate-related risks facing the buildings and construction sector, and how the sector can contribute to global decarbonization goals by incorporating sustainability in the design process. He also talked about how net zero carbon buildings integrate sustainability by designing for energy efficiency and decreasing reliance on non-renewable energy sources during their operation. He highlighted how whole-life net zero carbon can also be achieved by taking into account the emissions from the entire life cycle of the buildings — from the manufacture of construction materials up to the treatment processes after their end-of-life. After his presentation, Keith participated in the question-and-answer portion to clarify some of his discussion points. There was also an open forum where the participants asked about recent technologies, green building certifications, and business feasibility of sustainable engineering practices.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Directors Diana Sadili-Chu and Ricardo “Ricky” S. Maulion, Jr. were resource speakers at a PICPA Eastern Metro Manila Chapter (EMMC) webinar on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting: Leading beyond the Numbers on 10 February 2023.Ricky (top left) and Diana (second from top left) with the webinar organizers and participantsDiana talked about creating long-term value through sustainability and the practice of sustainability reporting and assurance. She emphasized that, as responsible organizations, companies need to disclose their commitment to and focus on long-term value creation to their stakeholders, and that sustainability reporting is an effective tool to achieve this objective. Meanwhile, Ricky’s discussion focused on global developments and the regulatory landscape of sustainability reporting and how accountants can lead on sustainability and climate action. He highlighted that globally, organizations and countries are moving toward the same direction in terms of sustainability reporting, which is the mandatory reporting of key metrics. He underscored that the webinar participants, as accountants, play a critical role in sustainability and climate action, particularly on the integration of the accounting and finance function with non-financial reporting processes and controls based on their experience and knowledge of leading practices.

SGV Tax Senior Manager Atty. Karen Calam-Ibañez was a speaker at the 2023 European Honorary Consuls' Meeting organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Visayas Chapters on 30 January 2023 at Citadines Cebu City. 30 honorary consuls, key government officials, and representatives from different foreign embassies and business associations attended the meeting. Atty. Karen talks about relevant business and regulatory matters Atty. Karen discussed the business and regulatory landscape in the Philippines from a legal perspective. Other speakers discussed topics covering recent political and economic developments in the Philippines and in ASEAN, as well as the policies and advocacies of the business community between Europe and the Philippines. In addition, the Honorary Consuls for Visayas gave an update to the Heads of Missions on the present business environment and how the Philippines compares to its ASEAN counterparts. Atty. Karen (fourth from left) with the other speakers Other speakers were Senior Economist at ING Bank Philippines Nicholas Antonio Mapa, ECCP Board Member Jochen Bitzer, Minister Counsellor and Head of the Economic and Trade Sector Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines Philipp Dupuis, Honorary Consul for Visayas and Mindanao, Consular Office of Switzerland Mathias Bergundthal, Honorary Consul of the British Consulate in Cebu City Tamsin Monahan Booth, and ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein. They talked about the 2023 Philippine Economic Outlook, Business Outlook & ECCP 2023, the EU-Philippines Trade and Investment Strategies & Recent Political Developments, updates on the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and economic partnership, updates on the UK-Philippine economic ties, and the EU-ASEAN Business Sentiment - Business Outlook for 2023, respectively. Honorary Consuls Mark Frondoso from the Czech Republic, Alexander Hey from Sweden, Enrison Benedicto from Belgium, and Vice Consul Joan Young-Tiu from Norway were also present.