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SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (BNV) served as a panelist during an Oracle webinar on 2 December 2021. BNV talked about the global and local landscape of sustainability reporting and how technology and data management can be important to companies issuing sustainability reporting and environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance data. He emphasized key topics such as creating long-term value with sustainability, the global sustainability reporting landscape and managing ESG data to unlock long-term value.  BNV speaking at the webinar The webinar focused on the need for organizations to have strategic and functional knowledge of what sustainability reporting and sustainable business mean for their industry. It also discussed how sustainability reporting can be a key resource in driving change. 

Climate Change and Sustainability Service (CCaSS) Director Erika Courteille was a guest speaker at two separate events on 6 November 2021 and 11 November 2021.  Ignite webinar poster featuring Erika  The first webinar titled Ignite: Discover the Social Enterprise in You was organized by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Graduate School and had over 800 participants. Erika shared her experiences in starting a social enterprise, the opportunities that eventually led to forming the business model, the impact of COVID-19 on operations and long-term sustainability plans involving a review of emissions in the value chain and shifting to a circular economy. She also briefly mentioned that SGV offers services such as reviewing emissions and sustainability transformation.  Her talk ended with the lessons she learned as a social entrepreneur. Erika presenting at the Rotary Club webinar The second webinar titled Discover Your Own Ecological Footprint and How Many Earths Your Lifestyle Is Worth was hosted by the Rotary Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas. The event was attended by professionals from different industries, the Rotary Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas members, and SGV Business Consulting Partner Leonardo J. Matignas. Erika started her talk by discussing climate change and then described how one can discover one's ecological footprint using the Footprint.org online resource tool. After this activity, she discussed actions that contribute to the carbon footprint per activity and some quick steps to lower emissions. 

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services Associate Engr. Kerby Z. Panaligan was invited by the Association of Food Engineering Students (AFES) under the Chemical and Food Engineering Department of Batangas State University Alangilan - College of Engineering, Architecture, and Fine Arts (CEAFA) to be one of the guest speakers in a webinar titled “LIE LAW: An Environmental Laws and Regulations Webinar” on 12 December 2021.  Engr. Panaligan answering questions from the participants Engr. Panaligan provided basic information about RA 8749: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. He also shared updates on the status of ambient air quality in the Philippines, and the environmental, social, and economic impact of air pollution. He concluded his talk by discussing the relationship between food production and air pollution, as well as corresponding actions that food engineering students can take in mitigating air pollution. He then addressed participants’ questions in an open forum.  Over 60 food engineering students together with their Environmental Engineering instructor and webinar organizer, Engr. Nico John Abratique, and the Chemical and Food Engineering Department Chair, Engr. Rejie Magnaye, attended the event.

SGV Global Compliance & Reporting (GCR) team facilitated a two-day tax webinar on 6 and 13 November 2021 for students of the University of San Carlos (USC) on significant changes in tax rules and regulations in the Philippines. ACE and MUS discussing double-taxation agreements On 6 November, Tax Partner Aaron C. Escartin (ACE) began the series with a discussion on double-taxation agreements. Tax Partner Maricris U. See (MUS) then discussed the tax incentives granted to Board of Investments (BOI)-registered entities. Marivic and ACE discussing changes in corporate taxes On 13 November, Tax Senior Director Marivic M. Rebulanan discussed the tax incentives granted to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered entities (old rules). She also emphasized the salient features of Republic Act (RA) No. 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, alongside ACE. They covered the changes in corporate tax and other taxes, rationalization of fiscal incentives, and the impact of these changes on financial reporting.  Participants from USC during the tax lectures Over 550 students participated in the two-day tax lecture series. The SGV team included Senior Associates Edsel Francis T. Lima, Eula Daphne G. Chua, and Charmaine Joyce G. Yu; and Associates Roselle Marie A. Sacorum, Jessmar G. Insigne, Alizza Mae A. Joven, and Eiren Joy T. Uy. This tax-lecture series is part of a GCR roadshow initiative to impart tax knowledge to future accountants and expose them to possible opportunities in practice.

SGV Assurance Director John S. Edralin was invited to be a speaker at Level Up: USC Accountancy and Business Convention 2021 on 26 November 2021. The activity was hosted by the University of San Carlos (USC) and was attended by accountancy and senior high school students from various educational institutions in Cebu. John entertaining questions during the open the forum John’s presentation, From Worksheet to Reality, talked about the role of accountants and their influence on society. His discussion revolved around the transition from being a student to an accountant and finding balance between being an accountant and a citizen.  Other speakers included Commission on Audit (COA) State Auditor 1 Winnie Anne Gallur and Mezzo Hotel President and CEO Shannen Tan. The convention ended with an open forum which was facilitated by the moderators from USC and resource speakers for the activity.

SGV and BlackLine conducted a webinar on “The Future of Finance for Shared Services Organizations” on 7 December 2021. Participants from various shared services organizations were present at the event. SGV Partners with BlackLine’s VP of Strategic Accounts (Asia) Alex Chun and SAP Value Architect Jim Hawthorne The webinar was opened by EY Asean and Philippines FAAS Leader and SGV Market Group 7 Leader Aris C. Malantic (ACM) and BlackLine’s Vice President of Strategic Accounts (Asia) Alex Chun. SGV FAAS and CCaSS Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (BNV) led the first part of the session where he discussed how the role of finance leaders has evolved and how the finance function is expected to likewise transform, with an increased focus on long-term value. BNV also emphasized the increasing need for the finance function to support key decisions across the organization and how technology in shared services organizations can help drive efficiencies and greater insights. The second part of the webinar was led by BlackLine’s Jim Hawthorne, who discussed how shared services organizations can realize the benefits of modernizing certain finance and accounting tasks through technology. The webinar concluded with a panel discussion moderated by ACM, together with BNV, SGV Consulting Partners Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña (KSM) and Jan Ray G. Manlapaz (RGM), and BlackLine’s Jim Hawthorne as panelists. BNV shared his thoughts on how leaders can address the impact of transformation on an organization’s employees. KSM emphasized the need for shared services organizations to devote more time to providing better insights to the organization. RGM discussed the importance of understanding the challenges of the organization and developing a business case for transformation initiatives. Jim shared his experiences on how automation of certain tasks through BlackLine has helped in the transformation of the finance function. ACM closed the webinar by highlighting the critical role that finance teams are expected to play in driving the transformation projects of their respective organizations. The webinar was organized by SGV FAAS managers Alexander Bughaw, Dwayne Justin Ignacio, Marilen Quicio, Jan Chester Tubigan, Jerwin Esquibel and John Edralin, in coordination with the BlackLine team.

The EY Ripples Team in SGV finished its three mentoring sessions held in the last quarter of 2021 through the JA Business Skills Pass program. Co-organized with Junior Achievement Philippines Incorporated (JAPI), the program continued from last year’s mentoring sessions where high school students created registered mini companies. SGV volunteers provided advice and insights on the students’ business plans. These involved topics including raising capital, accounting, and marketing and selling the companies’ products. JA Business Skills Pass program mentors and participants As the students execute their plans, they will sell their products in an online marketplace managed by JA and will compete for the Best Company. Two group winners will then represent the country in the competition for the JA Asia-Pacific Company of the Year award.  EY Ripples is a global corporate responsibility program that provides EY professionals with opportunities to use their knowledge, skills, and experience to positively impact millions of lives by working with impact entrepreneurs and supporting the next generation to develop mindsets and skills to find and sustain meaningful work.

Sonia D. Segovia (SDS), Tax Partner and Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Group Leader, was recognized as the 2021 Outstanding CPA in Public Practice in the virtual 76th Annual National Convention organized by the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) on 25 November 2021.  2021 Outstanding CPA in Public Practice This recognition celebrates SDS’s exemplary and remarkable professional achievements in public practice as a Partner in SGV & Co., particularly in the field of Taxation. Her active involvement in PICPA as a resource speaker and leader in various worthy projects and programs of the Institute has extensively promoted the professional development of the members. Her leadership style as President of PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter contributed greatly to achieving milestones for the Chapter. Her impressive academic achievements, professional experience, and collaboration with various institutions have greatly enhanced the prestige of and given honor to the accountancy profession.

The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) celebrated its 76th Annual National Convention on 24 – 27 November 2021.  The four-day hybrid event consisted of virtual learning workshops and live ceremonies held at the Philippine International Convention Center. SGV MG 2 Leader and PICPA National President Marydith C. Miguel (MCM) delivered the President’s message. MG 3 Leader Henry M. Tan (HMT) and SGV Clark GCR Partner Hentje Leo L Leaño (LLL) formally opened the program as Overall Committee Chair and Committee Co-Chair, respectively. PICPA National President Marydith Miguel with 76th ANC Committee Chair Henry Tan and Committee Co-Chair Hentje Leo Leaño and celebrity host Edward Barber SGV Tax Leader Atty. Fabian K. Delos Santos (FKS) discussed Pending Tax Bills as one of the speakers during the special-interest session. Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo (RAF), Sector and Account Representative Christian Lauron (CGL), Consulting Partners Maria Kathrina Macaisa-Peña (KSM) and Carlo Dimarucut (CGD) served as moderators for technical and special-interest sessions. Assurance Partner Shane Dave D. Tanguin (SDT) hosted two special-interest sessions and LLL hosted four technical sessions.  GCR Partner Maricris U. See (MUS) served as the Technical Session Chair. MUS also accepted the Continuing Excellence Award for the Southern Metro Manila Chapter, in her capacity as the President of the Southern Metro Manila Chapter. GCR Partner Michael A. Madlangbayan (MAM) served as the IT & Logistics Chair, with GCR Senior Manager Meynard Sardalla as the Co-Chair. GCR Senior Director Joanne Marie D. Macainag-Cobacha served as the Ways & Means Co-Chair. Brand, Marketing & Communications (BMC) Supervisor Karol Mae D. Villaluna and BMC Associate James Patrick Renn G. Jumawan were part of the Project Management team.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) celebrated its 20th anniversary on 19 October 2021. SGV Financial Services Organization Leader Vicky L. Salas (VLS) received a Plaque of Appreciation from the AMLC and its Secretariat for the contribution and support of the Financial Services Organization in fulfilling the mandate of the AMLC. She received the award virtually and spoke on how the AMLC helped her team perform its mandate.  AMLC celebrates its 20th Anniversary with donations to various charities Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and AMLC Chairman Benjamin E. Diokno gave the keynote message and AMLC Secretariat Executive Director Atty. Mel Georgie B. Racela gave the closing remarks.  SGV is the first local professional services firm accredited by the AMLC as an Institutional Training Provider (ITP). SGV has relevant experiences in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist and proliferation financing (CTPF) engagements such as policy gap analyses, independent assessments of AML/CTPF risk management frameworks, institutional risk assessments, transaction monitoring scenarios tuning, and remediations. VLS and SGV FSO Partner Veronica Arce Balisi are also AMLC accredited trainers.