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SGV Tax Partner Aaron C. Escartin was a speaker at the Iloilo Tax Congress 2024 held at Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo on 8 May 2024. Aaron delivered a presentation on "Insights on Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act." He shared his insights on the EOPT Act, its expected effects on tax compliance, and provided practical guidance to implement the changes.  SGV Tax Partner Aaron C. Escartin receives his token and plaque of appreciation SGV Partner and Bacolod Office Head Djole S. Garcia also participated in the event and received a certificate of appreciation from the business chamber. Senior Manager Anne E. Momongan-Lim joined Aaron and Djole in the tax congress. SGV Partner and Bacolod Office Head Djole S. Garcia receives her certificate of appreciation The Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) Iloilo and Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice (ACPAPP) Iloilo, Inc. organized the tax congress, which covered topics such as Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) audits and assessments, regulatory updates, and recent BIR issuances. The event was the first tax congress in Iloilo. SGV’s participation is in line with its tax vision toward a sustainable Philippine tax ecosystem and the Firm’s commitment to nation-building.

The Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council's Environment Pillar team recently hosted a WebCCaSS session on waste management entitled "Zero to Hero: Journey towards Zero Waste and Effective Management."  Sustainability Director Reynaldo C. Azarcon Jr. and SAVE Council – Environment Pillar team members welcome WebCCaSS session attendees The session was led by Sustainability Services Director Reynaldo C. Azarcon Jr., Associate Director Carla J. Capistrano, Finance Assistant Director Leah L. Pis-an, Senior Associate Kerby Z. Panaligan, Associates Marianne Angelica C. Velasco and Eloisa C. Malaluan, and Finance Admin Support Nympha Valencia. Business Services Group (BSG) Leader Alvin M. Pinpin opened the session by highlighting the concept of zero waste and the importance of effective waste segregation. Finance Assistant Director Leah L. Pis-an discusses the roles of SGVeans in Waste Management The session covered various topics related to waste management, starting with the significance of segregating waste according to their nature. The discussion also touched upon the percentage of waste dumped in landfills and its leakage into the environment. Participants were introduced to different types of waste and were provided with examples to prevent contamination of recyclable waste during segregation. The roles of SGVeans in managing waste effectively were highlighted, emphasizing best practices such as using a single paper towel in restrooms, bringing personal food containers, maintaining clean worktables, and disposing of waste in designated bins. SGVeans were encouraged to become waste management heroes in their own right. The "Zero Waste Challenge: Closing the Resource Loop," a six-month competition designed to foster a circular economy and instill sustainable waste management habits, was introduced. The session wrapped up with a rallying call for SGVeans to demonstrate their dedication to responsible waste management. The SAVE Council's WebCCaSS initiative is a quarterly one-hour webcast that covers concepts, trends, regulations and industry practices around sustainability and climate change.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi led the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) Academy’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist and Proliferation Financing (CTPF) training session which took place on 16 May 2024 via Zoom. This was Veronica’s 11th time delivering this training to FINEX Academy members. MIB Capital Corporation Chairperson Marilou Cristobal delivered the welcome remarks and introduced Veronica as the resource speaker. Veronica gave an overview of money laundering (ML) and terrorist and proliferation financing (TPF) and discussed different global, regional, and local regulatory bodies, AML/CTPF risk management frameworks, and the current state of the Philippines in relation to ML/TPF.                           SGV FSO Partner Veronica Arce Balisi during the webinar FSO Senior Associate Rubin Hollero II facilitated the knowledge checks via poll questions given in between discussions to interact with the participants and to gauge their understanding of the topics, with the assistance of Associates Andrea Marie Andrada, Christian Atillano, Liddy Lalaine Corpuz, and Mechaella Mae Punzalan. Veronica concluded the training session with a reminder to appreciate the purpose of the session not only as a matter of compliance but also in building a better Philippines.

SGV honored nine outstanding individuals in the Firm’s 2024 Learning & Development (L&D) Excellence Awards held on 24 May 2024. Winners were recognized in four award categories, namely Facilitator Impact, Rising Star, Innovation, and Thought Leadership. The individual awardees were recognized for their dedication, expertise, and creativity as outstanding facilitators. The program also highlighted their invaluable contribution to SGV's learning culture and L&D initiatives. SGV L&D Leader Clairma T. Mangangey (left) and SGV Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz (right) with SGV L&D Excellence Awardee and Facilitator Impact Awardee Catherine M. Catanyag Consulting Associate Director Catherine M. Catanyag is this year’s grand winner and recipient of both the SGV L&D Excellence Award and the Facilitator Impact Award. In her facilitation, she was cited for having demonstrated a deep understanding of the subject matter, combining theoretical concepts with real-life experiences to help participants navigate the complexities of IT audit work. Beyond facilitation, Catherine serves as the support manager for L&D administrative activities, coordinating with the business and L&D team to align learning maps with global standards and business needs as well as to ensure smooth course operations. (From left to right) Innovation Awardee Jenny Marie C. Dimatatac, SGV L&D Excellence Awardee and Facilitator Impact Awardee Catherine M. Catanyag, Thought Leadership Awardee Hazel N. Sy, Rising Star Awardee Edward Joseph A. Maglinte, Facilitator Impact Awardee Jobelyn D. Casim, SGV L&D Leader Clairma T. Mangangey, Thought Leadership Awardee Evelyn B. Yamzon, and Rising Star Awardees Mykee H. Puno and Ace R. Matibag Assurance Manager Jobelyn D. Casim and Tax Senior Manager Jackie Lou D. Lamug also received the Facilitator Impact Award. This award is given to experienced facilitators who have demonstrated exceptional expertise and commitment in the field of facilitation and have dedicated a significant number of hours to facilitating L&D courses. Assurance Manager Edward Joseph A. Maglinte, Consulting Senior Associate Anthony Arman “Ace” R. Matibag, and Tax Manager Mikhaella Martina “Mykee” H. Puno received the Rising Star Award. This award acknowledges the exceptional potential and talent of up-and-coming facilitators. These individuals demonstrated a strong passion for continuous improvement and were recognized as future leaders in the field of L&D.  Consulting Manager Evelyn B. Yamzon and Tax Senior Manager Hazel N. Sy received the Thought Leadership Award. This award honors experienced facilitators or teams for contributing innovative ideas and insights to the L&D community, pushing the boundaries of traditional training methods, and making remarkable contributions as subject matter resource speakers.  Consulting Senior Associate Jenny Marie C. Dimatatac received the Innovation Award. This award is given to top contributors in learning technologies or the creation of interventions that have improved the learning conduct or L&D processes. The winners received plaques and cash prizes. They were selected through an extensive evaluation process. Consulting Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz, Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan, Tax Principal Alden Patrick C. Labaguis, Assurance Partner Benigno F. Leongson, SaT Partner Smith C. Lim, and Tax Principal Cecille M. Santillan-Visto comprised the panel of judges. Congratulations to the winners!

SGV launched the Doing Business in Surigao del Norte publication with SGV Partners and Surigao del Norte officials, including Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers, Vice Governor Eddie D. Gokiangkee, Jr., and District II Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers, among other local government officials on 7 May 2024. The publication spotlights potential business opportunities and the province’s investment climate. SGV Partners and Surigao del Norte officials launch the DB in Surigao del Norte publication SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, along with SGV Partners Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed, Saha A. Bulagsak, and Joseph Ian M. Canlas, local leaders, and business representatives, introduced the publication as part of the "Doing Business in the Philippines" series, aimed at driving economic growth and attracting investors to Surigao del Norte.

SGV, through the SGV Foundation and the Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council, donated 15 yellow paddle boats to the Sitio Teheman Yellow Boat Community in Maluso, Basilan in March 2024. Yellow boats are used in small, underserved communities to safely transport children to and from school, like school buses in urban centers. The initiative is part of SGV’s mission to create sustainable opportunities and ensure educational access for children in the area. Local recipients of yellow boat donations Children in yellow boats The boats were turned over to the local families with the help of the Claret Samal Foundation, Inc. staff. The boats were made by the boat builders of Maluso, Basilan. 

SGV Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Lady March Diam C. Trinidad served as one of the judges at the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge Local Finals for 2023–2024 held via Zoom. SGV SaT Partner Lady March Diam C. Trinidad (top right) with the other judges Six university team finalists competed by analyzing the traded shares of a company and presenting their investment cases. The event culminated with the Emerald Equities team from the University of the Philippines Diliman being named the overall champion and JEFE from Ateneo de Manila University as the first runner-up.  Group photo with the Emerald Equities team from the University of the Philippines Diliman  The event was organized by the CFA Society Philippines, an association of local investment professionals, consisting of portfolio managers, security analysts, investment advisers, and other financial practitioners.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) and Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi was a resource speaker at the Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards – Pasay-Makati Realty Board, Inc. (PAREB-PMRB) Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist and Proliferation Financing (AML/CTPF) training held on 19 March 2024 at Paseo de Magallanes in Makati City. SGV FSO FinCrime Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi (second from left, seated) with PMRB President Glorie Marie Sy (third from right) and other PAREB-PMRB members  PMRB President Glorie Marie Sy delivered the welcome remarks and introduced Veronica as the resource speaker. The training session covered key topics such as AML/CTPF, the importance of compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and related regulations and the responsibilities of Real Estate Brokers (REBs) and Real Estate Developers (REDs) as covered persons.  Veronica provided an overview of the vulnerabilities faced by REBs and REDs under AMLA. She also detailed the registration process, including the steps necessary for the submission of required documentation and compliance with regulatory mandates. Veronica was joined by FSO Director Anne Mariel Lagao, and Associates Alech Nicole Margallo, Rod Aderick Elauria, Ma. Tiffany Atis, and Charisse Panisales. Veronica (center) with SGV representatives, PAREB-PMRB members, and other training attendees In concluding the session, Veronica encouraged real estate brokers and developers to register as covered persons. She also urged them to become advocates for AMLA to aid in the fight against money laundering within the real estate industry. She highlighted the importance of recognizing the risks and understanding the red flags associated with money laundering activities, as well as the role of brokers in reporting suspicious transactions.

EY Asean Business Consulting Leader and SGV Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo was one of the panelists at the Leadership Series 1.0 organized by the Asean Leadership Academy. The live session was streamed via MS Teams on 25 April 2024. It focused on the topic of fostering leaders and staff who are capable of inspiring teams with their energetic and enthusiastic approach to work. EY Asean Business Consulting Leader and SGV Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo as panelist during the live session Rossana was joined by Malaysia Assurance Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader and Asia Pacific Climate Change Advisory Leader Arina Kok as a co-panelist for the session. They engaged in discussions about leadership qualities and organizational values. The session was moderated by International Tax and Transaction Services (ITTS) Director Clement Lim, who steered the conversation toward finding inclusive pathways to growth and success.  ITTS Director Clement Lim (left) and Malaysia Assurance CCaSS Leader and Asia Pacific Climate Change Advisory Leader Arina Kok (right) as moderator and panelist, respectively Rossana underlined the importance of embodying the Firm's Purpose and setting a standard for others to follow. She introduced the audience to SGV Consulting's initiatives like the Quality and Innovation Circle, which encourages staff to propose impactful projects, and the pocket sessions aimed at building stronger connections between different service lines. Rossana further mentioned the necessity for patience in leadership roles, highlighting the discernment needed to know when to persist and when to withdraw. Arina added that success in leadership stems from collaboration and collective effort within the team. She gave insight into setting clear personal career goals and providing customized support to team members. Arina underscored the importance of open communication and volunteering in areas of strength to drive motivation and achieve career milestones. She also mentioned the EY Badges program, which encourages EY people to hone and master diverse skills. Together, Rossana and Arina advocated for proactive leadership, where daily actions demonstrate energy and the courage to lead, affecting positive change and helping others to grow. The event concluded with a Q&A session, promoting the daily practice of these leadership qualities for all EY people.

SGV and the Climate Change Commission (CCC) have pledged to deepen their collaboration for impactful climate resilience, with a focus on empowering Local Government Units (LGUs) through science-based, data-driven strategies. The collaboration aims to invigorate climate initiatives at the community level and promote long-term, low-carbon development. SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (right) with CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje (left) (Photo courtesy of the CCC) SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan highlighted the Firm’s commitment to infusing sustainability into LGU operations and enhancing their climate resilience, emphasizing the critical contribution of the private sector to climate action.  SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (third from right), CCaSS Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (second from right), and CCaSS Principal Bonar A. Laureto (right) with CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje (center) and other members of the CCC (Photo courtesy of the CCC) WPT was joined by SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte and CCaSS Principal Bonar A. Laureto. SGV and the CCC are aligning their efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By mobilizing private-sector investments towards low-carbon initiatives, this collaboration contributes to sustainable development, in line with the broader SDG agenda. SGV and the CCC continue to establish public-private partnerships, bolstering the integration of climate change considerations into policy and investment decisions to effectively combat the climate crisis.