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SGV Technology Consulting Leader Warren R. Bituin (WRB) moderated a panel discussion during the 6th CyberSecAsia (CSA) webinar series titled The Modern Approach to Privileged Access Management last 5 November. Organized by Escom and sponsored by BeyondTrust, the webinar discussed the action steps that organizations can take to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. Engr. Jose Carlos Reyes, Director IV Cybersecurity Bureau of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, opened the session. WRB discussed the different security challenges caused by the pandemic – such as work-from-home arrangements, rapid digital platform adoption and third-party provider engagements – and how organizations can build a robust cybersecurity posture. Members of the panel highlighted the need to strengthen identity and access management, especially in controlling the use of privileged or administrator-level accounts. They also encouraged organizations to shift the focus of their cybersecurity roadmaps to proactively secure emerging technologies such as operational technology and the internet of things.

Tax Partners Cheryl C. Ong (CCO), Czarina R. Miranda (CRM) and Josenilo G. Mendoza (JGM), and Tax Principal Victor C. de Dios (VCD) were among the speakers at the Taxation and Governance for Exporters Review (TIGER) Course held on 26 November to 9 December. Hosted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the course discussed the various tax compliance requirements for PEZA locator companies and ecozone developers. CCO delivered the opening remarks and highlighted the importance of tax compliance and awareness in nation building. In her keynote speech, PEZA Director General Charito Plaza encouraged participants to learn how relevant tax incentives and corporate taxation can strengthen their respective organizations. “Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, PEZA continues to take initiatives to assist existing and even future enterprises in ecozones nationwide. As we approach year-end of 2020, we believe that it is crucial to conduct training on webinar platforms so that education and learning about PEZA’s tax incentives and corporate taxation continues to help businesses,” said PEZA Director General Plaza. VCD began the session on 3 December with a discussion on the customs-related issuances and rules on importations. He then spoke on free zones and customs territories and the tax implications of imports and exports. He also provided updates on Bureau of Customs (BOC) issuances and the Bayanihan 2 Law. CCO provided an overview of fiscal incentives for exporters and explained the existing incentives for enterprises registered with the Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the Philippines, including PEZA. She then discussed the CREATE bill, highlighting its salient features and the impact of the recent Senate deliberations held last November. CRM led a session on the taxation of foreign nationals and regulatory compliance requirements. She explained the income tax or withholding tax implications on compensation and benefits provided to foreign expatriates, including related updates as well as reporting requirements of various government agencies for companies with foreign employees. JGM provided a comprehensive discussion on year-end tax requirements and procedures. He spoke on potential issues in the preparation of different year-end tax filing and administrative requirements covering majority of the tax types, as well as the evaluation of year-end adjustments and reconciling items in computing current income tax expenses. CCO led the session’s organizing committee assisted by her team of managers and senior associates. To watch the sessions, please visit https://tinyurl.com/PEZATIGERCourse.

Tax Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño (LLL) was a speaker at the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants-Southville International School and Colleges (JPIA–SISC Chapter) conference on 4 December. Over 60 participants attended the event, including SISC School of Accountancy Chairperson Dr. Henly S. Pahilagao, SISC faculty and accountancy students. JPIA-SISC Chapter President Aira Jaimee Gonzales moderated the session. With the theme, CPAs in Public Practice: Opportunities and Challenges, LLL spoke on his professional journey as an SGV Partner and his career in public practice. He also provided insights on the possible challenges and opportunities CPAs may face in the future beyond the pandemic.

SGV was the official tabulator of the Miss Earth 2020 pageant aired last 29 November. Market Group 2 Partners Ramon D. Dizon (RDD) and Mariecris N. Barbaso (MNB) led the tabulation team and conducted an independent tabulation of scores cast by the judges. Completing the team were Assurance Senior Manager Crystal Aleli Cornell; Manager Julius Ceasar Mercado; Senior Associates Angelu Daphne Villanueva and Jenylyn Rizardo; and Associates Arkangela Jerusha Tobes, Bryan Christopher Torres and Reynaldo Angelo Fecundo. Miss Earth is an environmental advocacy-driven beauty pageant where candidates promote the preservation and protection of Mother Earth. Celebrating its 20th year, Miss Earth 2020 is the first international environmental pageant to hold a virtual coronation ceremony during the COVID-19 pandemic.

EY regional Partners pay tribute to JGC   In honor of the retirement of SGV Senior Assurance Partner and former Chairman and Country Managing Partner (CMP) J. Carlitos G. Cruz (JGC), the EY regional Partners prepared a special program during the recent regional Partners’ virtual meeting last 13 November. They presented a video featuring milestones in JGC’s career and notable achievements as CMP. Asia-Pacific Area Managing Partner Patrick Winter, ASEAN Regional Managing Partner Nam Soon Liew, and other EY Partners shared heartfelt messages for JGC, expressing their gratitude and wishing him all the best on the next part of his journey.  JGC with his token of appreciation In recognition of his nearly 40 years of service to the Firm, they also presented JGC with a token of appreciation – a bottle of bespoke whiskey engraved with his name

SGVF donates to typhoon relief operations The SGV Foundation (SGVF) donated funds raised by SGV Partners and staff for communities affected by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Total donations amounted to over Php 2 million and were allocated for different non-government organizations and foundations active in relief operations in the affected communities.    The SGVF turned over the donations to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Aboitiz Foundation, Ateneo De Naga University, Caritas Manila, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) Foundation, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Foundation, and Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice (ACPAPP). 

EY Ripples holds first-ever virtual business clinic The EY Ripples Team in SGV conducted its first virtual business clinic last 26 November. Co-organized with Endeavor Philippines, the program oriented impact entrepreneurs on leading practices in tax and financial planning aimed to drive growth in their respective organizations. SGV Chairman and CMP Wilson Tan and Assurance Partner Christine Vallejo welcomed impact entrepreneurs from companies which are mostly engaged in the fintech, medical, personal care, real estate and business process outsourcing industries.     The title slides of the presentations of SCL and KMC at the EY Ripples Business Clinic   Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Smith C. Lim (SCL) led a plenary session on managing finances and provided an overview of accounting and interpreting financial statements. He explained key performance indicators in financial planning and budgeting, emphasizing the importance of managing cash flow. Tax Partner Kaye Sta. Maria-Constantino (KMC) then discussed the salient provisions of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) bill and the latest BIR issuances on related-party transactions (BIR Form No. 1709). She also spoke on the BIR’s Voluntary Assessment and Payment Program (VAPP) for taxable year 2018. The plenary sessions were followed by group mentoring sessions in breakout rooms, where SaT, Assurance and Tax partners and managers addressed participants’ questions.    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. 

SGV supports MAP NextGen Program as Knowledge Partner  SGV inks MOA with MAP  SGV signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) during the MAP NextGen Web Conference last 20 November. With the theme Crash Landing on Management, the Conference brought together industry leaders and experts who provided valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities faced by the next generation of leaders. Under the MOA, the Firm agreed to be a Knowledge Partner of the Conference and will work with MAP in conducting the NextGen CEO: A Transformative Leadership Program – a 12-month interactive leadership program geared towards helping high-performing young and future CEOs reframe the future of their companies. SGV Chairman and CMP Wilson P. Tan (WPT) and MAP President Francisco ED. Lim virtually signed the MOA.   WPT and MAP President Francis Lim during the MOA signing  SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian Ruiz, Assurance Leader Martin Guantes, Tax Leader Fame delos Santos, Consulting Leader Rossana Fajardo, Financial Services Organization (FSO) Leader Vicky Salas, Senior Assurance Partner Itos Cruz, Chief Risk Officer Leo Matignas, Market Group Leaders Jun Torres and Aris Malantic, Strategy and Transactions Partner Mon Dizon, Consulting Partners Kaye Macaisa and Ryan Chua, and FSO Partner Migs Ballelos also attended the conference and served as witnesses to the ceremony.  Consulting Leaders talk about Transformative Leadership at MAP Conference  SGV Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo (RAF) and EY Asia-Pacific Consulting Managing Partner Iain Burnet were among the speakers at the plenary sessions at the MAP NextGen Conference. The conference featured sessions led by industry experts and business executives on leadership styles and practices during the pandemic.   Iain presenting at the MAP NextGen Conference  Iain led a session on Transformative Leadership in the Transformative Age and explained how the pandemic has forced leaders to rethink their leadership strategies and business models. He explained that leaders need to adapt a transformative mindset that places humans@center, leverages technology@speed and enables innovation@scale. He then presented the main characteristics of transformative leaders, emphasizing their ability to lead with purpose and vision to inspire extraordinary results.   RAF and Iain during the open forum  The session concluded with an open forum moderated by RAF where they addressed participants' questions on the process of transitioning to a transformative leadership style and the value of vulnerability, open communications and purpose.

GFCP insight session features GPS Team  Government and Public Sector (GPS) and Financial Services Consulting Leader Christian G. Lauron (CGL) and Senior Associate Arielle Papa were among the speakers at the Global Future Cities Programme (GFCP) South East Asia insight series. GFCP provides technical assistance for a set of targeted interventions to encourage sustainable development, increase prosperity and reduce urban poverty. Hosted by Mott MacDonald, the series featured presentations on the different interventions of global delivery teams. This included a presentation from the Cebu City delivery team composed of CGL, as the delivery deputy team leader, Arielle, as the program manager, and Senior Manager Christian Chua, as the lead for the data hub and infrastructure workstream.  Members of the Cebu City delivery team  Together with FC Cebu City Team Lead Allen Williams, they presented three interventions that aim to develop the City’s housing and urban planning strategy; flood, drainage and traffic management; and education and healthcare systems. They provided a comprehensive overview of each intervention, including their objectives, targeted Sustainable Development Goals, challenges, and delivery strategies.   The title slide of the GFCP presentation  GFCP Communications Coordinator Veronica Tang moderated the session which included engineering, design and urban planning consultants from EY, Broadway Malyan and Triple Line Consulting. The South East Asia GFCP consists of 13 targeted interventions in nine cities across six countries. EY is one of the private sector partners of the GFCP and supports interventions in selected cities, including New Clark and Cebu. The program is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. To learn more about the program, please visit https://www.globalfuturecities.org/. 

SCL speaks at Future Energy Show Philippines Strategy and Transactions Partner Smith C. Lim (SCL) was one of the speakers at the Future Energy Show Philippines on 17 November. The event featured sessions on industry strategies, trends, and key innovations to help local energy stakeholders achieve growth in the area of renewable energy. Over 5,000 participants attended the webinar, including engineering, financial, legal and consulting professionals.  SCL presenting at the Future Energy Show  SCL led a session on financing solar rooftops where he discussed four approaches on financing a solar rooftop project: vendor financing, bank financing, leasing and power purchase agreement. He then compared the approaches in terms of risk sharing, accessibility and cost timing. He also shared insights on the recommended financing approaches based on their advantages to certain companies.  To watch SCL’s presentation, please visit https://tinyurl.com/SCLEnergyShow.