2024

SGV was recognized by the Chinese Enterprises Philippine Association (CEPA) as Outstanding Partner during CEPA’s 2023 annual meeting and new year reception held at the Bonifacio Hall of Shangri-la the Fort, Manila on 16 December 2023. SGV Chinese Overseas Investment Network (COIN) Leader Fidela T. Isip-Reyes and SGV Assurance Partner Jonathan T. Bino received the award certificate on behalf of the Firm. SGV Assurance Partner Jonathan T. Bino and SGV COIN Leader Fidela T. Isip-Reyes (third and fourth from left) with the other CEPA awardees SGV Certificate of Award from CEPA Representatives from the Philippine government, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Office of the Special Presidential Envoy to China, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs, and Philippine National Police, among others, attended the event. Also present were Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines representatives Ambassador Huang Xilian and Minister Counsellor Yang Guoliang, Filipino-Chinese business community representatives and more than a hundred members of the CEPA.

SGV was one of the sponsors of the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) 5th Sustainability Summit, an annual event that showcases the sustainability efforts and journey of its members. More than 150 participants attended the two-day summit which was held at the Makati Diamond Residences and the WSDC Training Rooms at the SGV I Building. (From left to right) GCNP Executive Director Octavio "Bobby" Peralta, SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, Co-CEO of Bayo Manila, Inc. Anna Marie Lagon, UNGC Regional Head for Asia and Oceania Neha Das, Nickel Asia Corporation President and CEO Martin Antonio Zamora, and GCNP Chairperson Ma. Victoria "Vickie" Tan SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan attended the by-invitation-only CEO Forum where CEOs discussed their vision, plans, scale-up activities, and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 10 Principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). In another segment, EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani talked about Sustainability Reporting.  EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani The second part of the program focused on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Reporting Standards. SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Katrina F. Francisco provided an overview of the IFRS S1 and S2 and a more a detailed discussion of the former. EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani provided a more in-depth discussion of the IFRS S2 and climate-related disclosures. KFF and Praveen also provided updates on the local adoption of these standards and their content requirements.  (From left to right) GCNP Chairperson Ma. Victoria "Vickie" Tan, CCaSS Partner Katrina Francisco, CCaSS Senior Manager Kevin Henson, CCaSS Senior Manager Fernando Salud, GCNP Vice-Chairperson Yayu Javier, and EY Singapore Principal Praveen Tekchandani Sustainability Summit participants CCaSS Senior Managers Kevin Henson and Fernando Jose Salud talked about climate risk assessment for physical and transitions risks in relation to climate-related disclosures. They also discussed climate hazards with relevant data and parameters and their potential impacts on businesses.

SGV Tax Principal Atty. Alden C. Labaguis assumed the position of Vice Chairperson of the Tax and Financial Services (TFS) Committee of The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) effective 8 January 2024. ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein confirmed Atty. Alden’s appointment on the same date through official correspondence.ECCP TFSC Chair Atty. Con Simundac (left) and ECCP TFSC Vice Chair Atty. Alden C. Labaguis (right) Atty. Alden works together with ECCP TFSC Chair Atty. Con Simundac, Lead Legal Counsel of ING Bank Philippines. The ECCP is a bilateral foreign chamber that promotes European interests in the Philippines and vice versa. As an organization with close to 800 members and a strong partnership with the government, the ECCP offers a strong business network that holds great potential in translating to tangible business opportunities. The Chamber strives to make its members’ viewpoints heard on economic and business issues, legislative measures, and administrative regulations. The ECCP recognizes that the financial and fiscal sectors play a key role in helping ensure inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. Subsequently, the implementation of suitable policies can help facilitate improved generation of funds as well as adequate allocation of resources. The ECCP TFSC engages with relevant stakeholders in initiatives towards improving fiscal and monetary policies including tax reform measures, as well as on improving inclusivity and security in the financial sector.

SGV Consulting Manager Jeffrey C. Yee is now a Certified Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt (GB) professional. Jeffrey received certification from the LSS external certification program sponsored by SGV for Business Consulting – Supply Chain and Operations in October 2023. SGV Consulting Manager and Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt professional Jeffrey C. Yee Jeffrey obtained the certification by attending a 56-hour LSS GB course, passing the written examination, and successfully completing and submitting an actual project study application. Lean Six Sigma is a recognized process improvement methodology thatis needed for foundational operational excellence skills for the Supply Chain team. This supplements the EY Supply Chain Internal Training and Industrial Engineering (IE) curriculum. This is also a preferred certification by EY clients. Congratulations, Jeffrey!

The SGV Dance Company (SGVDC) was hailed as the Ultimate Champions at the 78th Annual National Convention (ANC) of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) P-POP CON 2023: Pinoy Pop Dance Showdown! SGVDC won over both the crowd and judges as they performed their winning piece at the Sorsogon Convention Center.  78th PICPA ANC P-POP CON 2023: Pinoy Pop Dance Showdown! Champions SGVDC represented PICPA Metro Manila Region, sporting costumes that were styled in a visually satisfying contrast of ethnic fabrics against modern P-pop accessories. They won first place, while representatives from Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog regions won second and third places, respectively.  78th PICPA ANC P-POP CON 2023: Pinoy Pop Dance Showdown! Champions PICPA MMR Chair Sonia D. Segovia, PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan and PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura and the rest of PICPA MMR delegates joined the team in celebrating this achievement. The competition aimed to celebrate the rise of Pinoy pop culture globally by showcasing the dancing talents of PICPAns all over the Philippines using exclusively P-pop and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) songs. 

SGV Partners, Principals, and staff attended the 1st Central Luzon Year-end Briefing: Outlook for 2024 and Beyond held on 18 December 2023 at the SGV Clark Office. The event was organized by SGV Clark and was attended by C-suite locator-clients and potential Philippine investors, various Chambers of Commerce and Business Organizations within Central Luzon. BCDA Chairman Delfin N. Lorenzana at the 1st Central Luzon Year-end Briefing The featured guests from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) presented highlights on the 2023 developments in Central Luzon, particularly in Pampanga, Clark, Tarlac, and Subic, as well as the economic outlook for 2024, including expectations for economic growth, investment climate and any potential challenges or opportunities. BCDA also shared their most important projects and accomplishments for 2023 which included projects that locators and investors should look forward to in 2024. Present at the event were BCDA Chairman Delfin N. Lorenzana, BCDA Investment Promotion and Marketing Department Head Michelle De Vera, CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, CIAC President and Chief Executive Officer Arrey A Perez, SBMA Business and Investment for Manufacturing and Maritime Department Manager Karen Magno, and NEDA Region III Assistant Regional Director Evelyn Nacario-Castro. 

SGV Davao hosted the “Symposium for Business Owners: Bringing your Business to the Next Level” at the SGV Davao office. The symposium featured SGV Partners and was attended by family business owners. SGV Davao Partner-in-Charge Jose Raoul J. Balisalisa hosted the event.  SGV Davao symposium participants SGV Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Partner Anna Maria Rubi B. Diaz talked about Finance Remediation while Philippine FAAS Leader Aris C. Malantic and MG4 Leader Veronica R. Pore (VRP) served as panelists for the event. SGV Business Tax Services (BTS) Partner Karen Kaye M. Sta. Maria-Constantino, Global Compliance & Reporting (GCR) Partner Saha A. Bulagsak, Business Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña and Assurance Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte talked about Corporate Restructuring, Tax Health Check, Process Improvement and Sustainability Reporting, respectively. The event included business consultations with the key speakers to address the participants’ business concerns.

SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula and SGV Tax Partners Hentje Leo L. Leaño and Atty. Maria Margarita D. Mallari-Acaban were resource speakers in a seminar organized by the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA). Around 180 locators, other CILA members, and clients from Clark, Pampanga, Subic Bay, and Tarlac attended the event held at the SGV Clark office on 25 January 2024. Atty. Margaux discusses CREATE MORE Bill Leo discusses EOPT Act Atty. Marga discusses BEPS 2.0 CILA Director Joyce Manansala delivered the opening remarks. CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva introduced the speakers. Atty. Margaux, Leo, and Atty. Marga discussed the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act, the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS 2.0) project, and the CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Bill. Dr. Frankie moderated the question-and-answer sessions and shared his insights on the topics discussed. He also gave the closing remarks. Leo, Tan, Atty. Margaux, Atty. Marga, CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva, Leo, and Peps MG7 Leader Jose Pepito “Peps” E. Zabat, Assurance Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Director David Jonathan “Tan” Manalili, and Business Tax Associate Director Atty. Ma. Jeanne Therese Marasigan were also present during the event.

SGV Partners Hentje Leo L. Leaño, Margaux A. Advincula, Deonah L. Marco-Go, Jose Pepito “Peps” E. Zabat III, and Victor C. De Dios facilitated a seminar on the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act, the CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Bill, and the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS 2.0) Action Plan. The seminar organized by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) was held at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel on 18 January 2024. Victor, Margaux, Peps, SBFCC President Benjamin Antonio III, Deonah, Leo, and SBFCC Director Peter Tumanda at the SBFCC seminar Assurance Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, Global Tax Compliance Director David Jonathan Manalili, Global Tax Compliance Associate Director Mica Alyanna Rivera, Business Tax Associate Director Atty. Ma. Jeanne Therese Marasigan, Business Tax Senior Associate Atty. Illysa Abquiren, and Atty. Jessica Ella Lagman provided assistance to the Partners throughout the event. About 143 locators and SBFCC members attended the seminar, including SBFCC President Benjamin Antonio III and SBFCC Director Peter Tumanda.

SGV Partners and Managers participated in the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham) North Luzon Economic Briefing on Central Luzon's Regional Economic Situation and Development Outlook for 2024. Forty-five AmCham members attended the briefing held on 25 January 2024 at the SGV Clark office. Atty. Margaux introduces NEDA Region 3 Regional Director Nerrisa T. Esguerra SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula delivered the opening remarks and introduced the resource speakers from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 3: Regional Director Nerrisa T. Esguerra, Supervising Economic Development Specialist Jesito Ponio Jr., and Assistant Regional Director Divina Hope Vallejo. The NEDA speakers talked about the government’s initiatives to facilitate economic and social transformation in Central Luzon. NEDA Region 3 Regional Director Nerrisa T. Esguerra talks about Central Luzon's Regional Economic Situation and Development Outlook for 2024 SGV Consulting Partner Joseph Ian M. Canlas moderated the question-and-answer session with the speakers. AmCham North Luzon President Denise H.R. Molintas delivered the closing remarks. MG7 Leader Jose Pepito E. Zabat, Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño, Assurance Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, GCR Director David Jonathan Manalili, and Business Tax Associate Director Atty. Ma. Jeanne Therese Marasigan were also present during the event.