The SGV Tax team and Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran (SPARK!) Philippines met with Quezon City Government officials to discuss the SGV Tax team’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives on 28 July 2022.
SGV Tax team and SPARK! Philippines representatives
with QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and QC PESO Chief Rogelio Reyes
The SGV Tax team together with SPARK! Philippines representatives Executive Director Maica Teves and Project Officer Margot Catmunan met with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Quezon City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Chief Rogelio Reyes, City Government Department Head III Ma. Margarita Santos, and Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development Promotions Office (SBCDPO) Head Mona Celine Yap to explore equal employment opportunities, foster gender-sensitivity awareness and social equity in workplaces, and share knowledge and skills for a better Philippines in line with the SGV Tax team's DE&I vision.
Mayor Joy welcomed the Team and expressed her eagerness to help in the proposed projects. She shared some of her experiences in resolving workplace discrimination, harassment, and biases. QC PESO Chief Rogelio affirmed the LGU’s willingness to support the SGV Tax team in their proposed programs by streamlining candidates, especially those in marginalized communities, for possible employment at SGV. Ms. Margarita added that they are willing to screen qualified QC citizens from their pool of talent and assess their capabilities. Meanwhile, Ms. Mona enumerated possible collaborative projects focusing on the areas of business registration, advantages of tax compliance, securing Mayor’s Permits, and basic taxation laws.
The SGV Tax team was led by ASEAN Tax DE&I Lead Atty. Victor C. De Dios (VCD). Other members of the SGV Tax Team included Indirect Tax Senior Directors Atty. Alden Patrick C. Labaguis and Atty. Jo Ann Marie O. Casio, Associate Directors Atty. Gracia Mae A. Beronilla and Atty. Dawna Fya O. Bandiola, and Senior Associates Atty. Catriona Janelle V. Gayatin and Atty. Andrea Nicole C. Loreno.
