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SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin “Benjie” N. Villacorte was a panelist at the Asian Development Bank’s Gender Equality and Climate Resilience: Role of Public Financial Management (PFM) event on 7 November 2023. Benjie participated in the panel discussion on Improving climate outcomes through PFM. Over 80 ADB staff attended the hybrid event. (From left to right) Moderator Tahmeen Ahmad with Panelists Yoko Watanabe, Benjie Villacorte, Antonio Blasco, and Srinivas Gurazada Benjie talked about the landscape of sustainability reporting in the Philippines’ private sector and discussed the standards and sample disclosures that the industry reports on. He also shared how the public sector may learn valuable lessons from the experiences of the private sector on sustainability reporting and in terms of establishing clear sustainability goals, integrating sustainability into core processes, engaging with stakeholders, utilizing technology, adopting reporting frameworks, and embracing knowledge sharing.  Other panelists were Climate Change, Resilience and Environment Cluster (CCRE) Environment Director Yoko Watanabe and Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Secretariat Head Srinivaz Gurazada and PEFA Senior Governance Specialist Antonio Blasco. ADB Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management Department (PPFD) Senior Tahmeen Ahmad served as the moderator. ADB PPFD Director General Aman Trana gave the closing remarks. 

SGV Global Compliance & Reporting (GCR) Partner Saha A. Bulagsak was the resource speaker in the Withholding Tax on Wages (WTW) and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) seminars under the SGV TaxBaSe series. The seminars were held from 17 to 20 October at the SGV Cebu, Makati, and Clark offices.  Saha with the SGV Clark participants Saha discussed the taxation of compensation and other employee benefits, including fringe benefits. She was joined by GCR Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño in the question-and-answer sessions at the Makati and Clark offices.   Fatma, Leo, Stewart, and Saha during the Q&A sessions in Makati and Cebu (From left to right) Fatma, Saha, and Leo GCR Senior Director Fatma Aleah A. Datukon, Director David Jonathan F. Manalili, and Associate Director Stewart Herbie T. Po hosted the sessions in SGV Makati, Clark, and Cebu, respectively. 

SGV Partners participated in the 2023 Asian Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (ACIIA) Regional Conference held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Cebu. IIA Philippines hosted the conference together with its 75th Founding Anniversary celebration. The theme of the conference, “#OneIIA in Sustaining Relevance and Elevating Impact,” underscored the importance of Internal Audit in the current complex business landscape. SGV was a silver sponsor for the conference.  Panel discussion with EY Singapore Consulting, Enterprise Risk Associate Partner Jo Tay and SGV Partner Joseph Ian M. Canlas SGV Partners Ryan Gilbert K. Chua, Joseph Ian M. Canlas, and Christiane Joymiel Say-Mendoza served as facilitators and speakers in the technical sessions. They were also joined by Former ACIIA President and SGV Alumni Partner Leonardo J. Matignas Jr. and EY Singapore Consulting, Enterprise Risk Associate Partner Jo Tay.  SGV Partners Ryan Gilbert K. Chua, Joseph Ian M. Canlas, and Christiane Joymiel Say-Mendoza receive certificate and token of appreciation on behalf of SGV Topics discussed during the conference were the state of the IA profession, IA vision 2035, the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) evolution, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data protection, sustainability goals and reporting, data analytics, agile auditing, fraud, IA talent management, and growth mindset.  Global leaders from the IIA, ACIIA Executive Committee members, IIA affiliate leaders and delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and other Asian countries also attended the conference in person or virtually.

SGV & Co., Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Principal Bonar A, Laureto, and CCaSS Director Ricardo “Ricky” S. Maulion Jr. received awards from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during the 87th SEC Anniversary and Appreciation Event on 10 November 2023 at the SEC Headquarters in Makati City. SGV Chief Sustainability Officer Clairma T. Mangangey (second from right) and SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (right) receive plaque of appreciation on behalf of SGV SGV was recognized for its support to the SEC in pursuing its supervision of enabling the Philippine capital markets and business sector to be among the best in the Southeast Asian Region. SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan and Chief Sustainability Officer Clairma T. Mangangey received the award on behalf of SGV. The Firm continues to collaborate with the SEC in promoting and enhancing sustainability reporting. Sustainability Champions Bonar and Ricky were individually recognized under the good governance category for their contribution to the SEC’s sustainability reporting initiatives.  As the Financial & Sustainability Reporting Standards Council (FSRSC) Chair, Wilson also received a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the FSRSC. CCaSS Partner and Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee (PSRC) Chairman Benjamin “Benjie” N. Villacorte received a similar award on behalf of the PSRC. Benjie (right) receives plaque of appreciation Other individuals and organizations from the public and private sectors who have shared their voices in promoting the SEC’s mission to improve ease of doing business, capital market development, investor protection, good governance, and organizational development were also recognized during the event.

The SGV Consulting team organized the 8th installment of the SheInspires series titled “The Style Revolution: Creating Great Impressions” on 26 October 2023 at the Washington SyCip Development Center (WSDC) Training Rooms. The seminar aimed to underscore the influence of professional dressing on leadership presence and the development of a stronger brand image in today’s workforce. Business of Style President and CEO Tati Miranda Fortuna at the SheInspires forum Business of Style President and CEO Tati Miranda Fortuna emphasized the importance of making great first impressions. She discussed the ABC of Leadership Presence (Appearance, Behavior, and Communication) and presented a selection of basic clothing essentials for men and women. She also shared a guide to curating a sustainable wardrobe.Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña and Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo delivered the opening and closing remarks, respectively. Consulting Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia and Assurance Partner Djole S. Garcia served as moderators during the question-and-answer session with Tati. Tati talks about work wear wardrobe essentials for men This installment was the first in-person session of the SheInspires series since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

SGV Assurance Associate Shannen C. Jagwani ranked 1st in the May – June 2023 US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. She also received the Priscilla S. Payne Outstanding Student Performance Award for her excellent scores on the exam. The results were announced on 20 September 2023.  SGV Assurance Associate Shannen C. Jagwani, CPA, CMA The CMA title is a credential that represents enhanced expertise in areas of accounting and finance, with competencies in strategic thinking, business analysis, and leadership. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Congratulations, Shannen!

SGV Clark Head and Partner-in-Charge Atty. Margaux A. Advincula, joined by Business Tax Advisory (BTA) Senior Associate Atty. Jessica Ella S. Lagman and Atty. Fatima Kate N. Garo, participated in the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham) – North Luzon Chapter’s meeting on updates and developments for New Clark City held at the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Clark Office in Clark Global City on 19 October 2023. Atty. Margaux at the AmCham – North Luzon Chapter’s meeting on updates and developments for New Clark City Atty. Margaux introduced BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang as the guest speaker for the event. Engr. Bingcang talked about the BCDA’s commitment to leveraging the potential of its strategic Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to foster sustainable growth and create opportunities for all. He led the discussion on the latest developments, upcoming projects, and available opportunities for partnerships in New Clark City (NCC). BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang  Engr. Bingcang highlighted the present and future NCC projects related to infrastructure, tourism, housing, sports and education – specifically mentioning the NCC-to-Clark Airport access road, as well as the NCC-to-SCTEX Tollgate openings this November 2023, and the North-South Commuter Railway Project, which would allow people to travel from Manila to Clark or vice versa in less than an hour. Atty. Margaux (third from left, first row) with AmCham North Luzon Board Members Erlinda Pamintuan (fourth from left, first row), Francis Initorio (tenth from left, second row), Vice President Krizia Tranquilino (third from right, first row), and BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang (eleventh from left, second row) with other meeting attendees The meeting brought together AmCham members, business owners and investors, as well as prominent business leaders in Clark, Pampanga.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin “Benjie” N. Villacorte was a speaker at the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) Conference 2023 held at the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. The conference highlighted solutions to accelerate the Philippines’ private sector net-zero journey. Benjie answers questions during the opening plenary session During the opening plenary session, Benjie talked about the state of net-zero corporate pledges in the Philippines. He shared how SGV, as a member firm of EY, is committed to EY’s global Carbon Ambition to achieve net zero by 2025. He talked about the establishment of the SGV Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council and the operationalization of sustainability within the Firm. Benjie mentioned how SGV engages with its stakeholders by hosting awareness sessions such as the Sustainabits and WebCCaSS sessions for its employees and dialogues with its suppliers on greening SGV’s supply chain. He also mentioned some of the initiatives implemented by the Firm to reduce GHG emissions, such as lessening business travels of engagement teams and using a renewable-energy service provider. Benjie signs NZCA’s pledge of commitment on behalf of SGV Benjie signed a pledge of commitment on behalf of the Firm to commit to taking immediate action toward achieving carbon neutrality.  Members of the CCaSS team and SGV’s SAVE Council, namely Senior Director Crystal Aleli R. Cornell, Associate Director Louie Adrianne R. Cediño, and Senior Associate Zoe Aurora H. Romero, supported BNV during the event. (From left to right) Senior Associate Zoe Aurora H. Romero, Senior Director Crystal Aleli R. Cornell, NZCA Executive Director and Energy Development Corporation AVP and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Atty. Allan Barcena, CCaSS Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte, and Associate Director Louie Adrianne R. Cediño The NZCA is an initiative by the Energy Development Corporation, a leading vertically integrated geothermal power producer. It aims to engage with corporations in the Philippines to achieve net-zero emissions aligned with the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of up to 72.29 per cent conditional emissions reduction by 2030. 

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Glenda C. Anisco-Niño was a panelist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation’s 2nd Sustainability Forum on “Advocating Sustainability as a Serious Business.” The forum was held on 24 October 2023 at the RCBC Hexagon Lounge. It was also streamed online to RCBC clients. The forum aimed to highlight RCBC’s commitment to sustainable finance and development. Glenda at RCBC’s 2nd Sustainability Forum Glenda talked about sustainability for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reconciling costs, the possible long-term benefits of sustainability, and ways for SMEs to start integrating sustainability in their operations. She also discussed how banks can further support SMEs in their sustainability objectives. RCBC President and Chief Executive Officer Eugene S. Acevedo delivered the opening remarks and provided an overview of the bank’s sustainable-finance programs. RCBC Chief Sustainability Officer Armi Laberte spoke about the bank’s sustainability highlights and plans. Glenda (second from right) with co-panelists and moderator during the panel discussion During the panel discussion on Sustainable Finance, Glenda was joined by co-panelists RCBC Chief Risk Officer Gabby Tomas, RCBC Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Banking Beth Coronel, and Topline Energy Independent Director and former Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Atty. Leonido Pulido.

SGV Consulting Partner Joseph Ian M. Canlas was a speaker at the 64th Annual National Convention and Seminar organized by the Association of Government Internal Auditors (AGIA) from 17 to 20 October at the Boracay Newcoast Convention Center in Malay, Aklan. Around 800 participants attended the sessions in-person, while 200 participated virtually.  Ian at the AGIA 64th Annual National Convention and Seminar Ian talked about navigating the complexities of risk. He shared insights on current and emerging risks, the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework and related roles and responsibilities, and examples of ERM implementation best practices applied by government agencies. Ian receives token of appreciation from AGIA Board Other speakers from the public and private sector and academe also conducted technical training sessions and panel discussions on topics such as the future of IA, use of data analytics, leadership, governance, integrity, accountability, and navigating risks. AGIA is a non-government organization that aims to provide quality seminars and training for internal auditors and allied professionals in the Philippine public sector.