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The SGV Knowledge Institute in coordination with the SGV Bacolod Office conducted a symposium for business owners entitled “Strengthening Family Businesses for Generations to Come” at Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod on 17 May 2024. GCR Partner Erickson Errol R. Sabile with the symposium participants True to SGV’s Purpose of nurturing leaders and enabling businesses for a better Philippines, the symposium provided insights and strategies to business owners in diverse industries to strengthen and ensure that family businesses will not only survive but thrive for generations to come. SGV Bacolod Partner-in-Charge Djole S. Garcia SGV Bacolod Partner-in-Charge Djole S. Garcia spearheaded the symposium. She was joined by other Partners who attended the event, namely SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, Business Tax Advisory Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong, Global Compliance & Reporting (GCR) Partner Erickson Errol R. Sabile, Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan, Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña, Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Leader Aris C. Malantic, and Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed. SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan delivers the welcome remarks BTS Senior Director Anne Margaret E. Momongan-Lim (left) moderates a panel discussion with SGV Partners Kristopher S. Catalan, Aris C. Malantic, Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña, Cheryl Edeline C. Ong, Erickson Errol R. Sabile, and Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Business Tax Services (BTS) Senior Director Anne Margaret E. Momongan-Lim. The event was attended by representatives from various companies, most of which are members of the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Junior & Senior Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry. SGV Partners during the courtesy visit Prior to this, the SGV Partners paid a courtesy visit at the Office of the City Mayor of Bacolod and the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIPO).

The SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) team and the SGV Campus Recruitment team organized and facilitated a tax review session for staff taking the May 2024 CPA Licensure Examinations. More than 300 face-to-face (F2F) attendees and more than 500 virtual participants from the SGV Makati, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio offices joined the review session. GCR Partners Maricris U. See and Lee Celso R. Vivas with GCR Managers and Staff GCR Partner Maricris U. See kicked off the session with an introductory message. GCR Partner Francis J. Ricamora delivered the first lecture on Corporate Income Tax. This was followed by a lecture on other tax topics by GCR Partner Don Don T. Mojica. GCR Partner Josenilo G. Mendoza concluded the session with his lecture on Value-Added Tax.   The series of lectures was followed by a short two-part send-off activity. For the first part, GCR Associates Loudette Remirose C. Tejada (8th Placer – October 2022 CPALE) and Shaina Rose A. Lozano (4th Placer – May 2023 CPALE) gave their respective testimonial messages. They shared their experiences and techniques on how to pass the board examination and overcome other challenges. For the second part of the send-off activity, the Board Takers took the opportunity to have their pencils sharpened by the GCR Partners and the Topnotchers for good luck. GCR Partner Lee Celso R. Vivas capped off the event by delivering the closing remarks. GCR Partner Jay A. Ballesteros was also present during the event. Group photo of the GCR team with the tax review session attendees The event was spearheaded by GCR Partner Maricris U. See, GCR Senior Director Fatma Aleah A. Datukon, and GCR Director Jao Renzo Mercado, with the guidance of GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia and support of GCR Partners Aaron C. Escartin, Hannah S. Rojo, Michael A. Madlangbayan, Joanna T. Dela Chica, and the GCR People Pillar Managers, who reviewed and prepared the lecture materials. SGV Talent team members Julie Ann R. Rubia, Julia-Anne J. Deypalan, Julia D. Villaos, Marina Beatrice P. Lopez, Jahn Richmonde M. Santillan, Ma. Trisha Coleen Q. Cortez, and Angelou Ma. D. Remo also assisted the GCR team in spearheading the event.

SGV Sustainability Services Partner and Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee (PSRC) Chair Benjamin N. Villacorte was a speaker at the 2024 Philippine Sustainability Now Forum held at the Mayuree Grand Ballroom, Dusit Thani Manila on 16 May 2024. The event underscored the need for a collective drive towards a resilient and sustainable Philippine economy. SGV Sustainability Services Partner and PSRC Chair Benjamin N. Villacorte shares insights on sustainability Benjamin receives certificate and token of appreciation Benjamin shared insights on integrating sustainability into corporate strategies on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) applications for private industry. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector to achieve a whole-of-nation approach in addressing the SDGs. 

The Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council's Environment Pillar team recently hosted a WebCCaSS session on waste management entitled "Zero to Hero: Journey towards Zero Waste and Effective Management."  Sustainability Director Reynaldo C. Azarcon Jr. and SAVE Council – Environment Pillar team members welcome WebCCaSS session attendees The session was led by Sustainability Services Director Reynaldo C. Azarcon Jr., Associate Director Carla J. Capistrano, Finance Assistant Director Leah L. Pis-an, Senior Associate Kerby Z. Panaligan, Associates Marianne Angelica C. Velasco and Eloisa C. Malaluan, and Finance Admin Support Nympha Valencia. Business Services Group (BSG) Leader Alvin M. Pinpin opened the session by highlighting the concept of zero waste and the importance of effective waste segregation. Finance Assistant Director Leah L. Pis-an discusses the roles of SGVeans in Waste Management The session covered various topics related to waste management, starting with the significance of segregating waste according to their nature. The discussion also touched upon the percentage of waste dumped in landfills and its leakage into the environment. Participants were introduced to different types of waste and were provided with examples to prevent contamination of recyclable waste during segregation. The roles of SGVeans in managing waste effectively were highlighted, emphasizing best practices such as using a single paper towel in restrooms, bringing personal food containers, maintaining clean worktables, and disposing of waste in designated bins. SGVeans were encouraged to become waste management heroes in their own right. The "Zero Waste Challenge: Closing the Resource Loop," a six-month competition designed to foster a circular economy and instill sustainable waste management habits, was introduced. The session wrapped up with a rallying call for SGVeans to demonstrate their dedication to responsible waste management. The SAVE Council's WebCCaSS initiative is a quarterly one-hour webcast that covers concepts, trends, regulations and industry practices around sustainability and climate change.

SGV Partners and Managers paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Endo Kazuya. The visit took place on 5 June 2024. Ambassador Endo assumed his position on 4 April 2024. SGV Partners and Managers with Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Endo Kazuya (center) The delegation, led by SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, included SGV Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz, Japan Business Services (JBS) Assurance Leader Michael C. Sabado, JBS Tax Leader Jonald R. Vergara, and members of SGV’s JBS team, Associate Principal and Japanese Business Council member Hiroshi Nakagawa, and Senior Director and Japanese Business Council member Kazuma Nakagomi. Wilson introduced SGV, outlining the Firm's services and its dedication to fostering Japanese investments and supporting Japanese clients in the Philippines. Vivian highlighted SGV's role as an EY member firm and the close collaboration with EY JBS colleagues in Japan and Asean. The SGV JBS team outlined their focus on addressing the needs of Japanese clients. Ambassador Endo, joined by Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke and Financial Attache Sugimoto Kensuke, expressed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and Japan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and developing the ties established by their predecessors. The meeting also covered discussions on tax issues faced by Japanese companies, including the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) tax legislation pending in Congress. Insights and implications of the proposed tax measures on incentives for Japanese companies were exchanged. Wilson extended a formal invitation to Ambassador Endo to attend the launch of the latest version of Doing Business in the Philippines in Japanese, scheduled for the week of 5 August 2024, which will also welcome SGV's Japanese clients. As a token of goodwill, Wilson also presented Ambassador Endo with a copy of SGV Founder Washington SyCip’s biography Wash: Only a Bookkeeper, A Biography of Washington Z. SyCip by Dr. Jose “Butch” Y. Dalisay Jr.

SGV Sustainability Services team members hosted a SAVE Council Sustainabits session spotlighting the role of human rights in achieving social sustainability. The session, titled "Empower Every Juan: Exploring Social Sustainability through Human Rights Advocacy," was held in May 2024. SGV Sustainability and Risk Management team members lead the Sustainabits session on the role of human rights in social sustainability Sustainability Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz opened the session. In his welcome remarks, he highlighted the importance of sharing awareness and protecting fellow Filipinos’ human rights. The succeeding discussions were led by Sustainabits team members Louie Adrienne Cediño, Dubhe Gienah Mayor, and Caryll Joy Franco, along with Artemina Aloria from Risk Management. They provided an overview of the sustainability landscape, emphasizing the social pillar and its intersection with human rights advocacy. The session underscored the vital role of human rights in fostering a fair and equitable society, addressing the plight of marginalized communities, and calling for collective action. The "Empower Every Juan" session aimed to inspire attendees to actively contribute to a sustainable future that respects and upholds the rights and dignity of every Filipino. The session concluded with a Declaration of Commitment called “A Plan towards Social Sustainability,” which urged SGVeans to champion social sustainability. It also served as a reaffirmation of SGV’s commitment towards achieving zero waste.  The SAVE Council’s Sustainabits initiative is a bi-monthly 30-minute session that covers high-level concepts relating to sustainability. 

SGV Consulting Director Ma. Sheralyn Peroche and Senior Associate Edgard Valdez have successfully earned their Agile Project Management Foundation & Practitioner (AgilePM®) certification. This certification represents a milestone in their professional development and stands as a testament to their commitment to excellence in project management. Certified AgilePM® professionals Ma. Sheralyn Peroche (left) and Edgard Valdez (right) Sheralyn and Edgard obtained their respective AgilePM® certifications by demonstrating a deep understanding of agile principles and practices. They also demonstrated their ability to apply these principles and practices effectively in complex transformation projects. The AgilePM® certification equips practitioners with the critical skills to efficiently navigate and lead through the complexities of today’s fast-paced project environment.  Congratulations, Sheralyn and Edgard!

SGV launched the Doing Business in Surigao del Norte publication with SGV Partners and Surigao del Norte officials, including Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers, Vice Governor Eddie D. Gokiangkee, Jr., and District II Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers, among other local government officials on 7 May 2024. The publication spotlights potential business opportunities and the province’s investment climate. SGV Partners and Surigao del Norte officials launch the DB in Surigao del Norte publication SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, along with SGV Partners Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed, Saha A. Bulagsak, and Joseph Ian M. Canlas, local leaders, and business representatives, introduced the publication as part of the "Doing Business in the Philippines" series, aimed at driving economic growth and attracting investors to Surigao del Norte.

Consulting Manager Daisy Charlene I. Limbaroc and Associate Josephine Kay L. Ramos passed the 2023 Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®) certification exam administered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).  GARP SCR professionals Daisy Charlene I. Limbaroc and Josephine Kay L. Ramos The GARP SCR certification formally recognizes proficiency in the following subject matters: Foundations of Climate Change; Sustainability; Climate Change Risk; Sustainability and Climate Policy, Culture, and Governance; Green and Sustainable Finance: Markets and Instruments; Climate Risk Measurement and Management; and Climate Models and Scenario Analysis. It also demonstrates one’s ability to assess and manage the sustainability and climate risk challenges that many industries face. The SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Consulting team will host sessions about the GARP SCR certification program.  Congratulations, Daisy and Josephine!

SGV, through the SGV Foundation and the Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council, donated 15 yellow paddle boats to the Sitio Teheman Yellow Boat Community in Maluso, Basilan in March 2024. Yellow boats are used in small, underserved communities to safely transport children to and from school, like school buses in urban centers. The initiative is part of SGV’s mission to create sustainable opportunities and ensure educational access for children in the area. Local recipients of yellow boat donations Children in yellow boats The boats were turned over to the local families with the help of the Claret Samal Foundation, Inc. staff. The boats were made by the boat builders of Maluso, Basilan.