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SGV was one of the newest corporate members inducted during the 2024 annual Supply Chain Outlook event organized by the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP). SGV Business Consulting Partner Jan Ray G. Manlapaz and Senior Manager Mary Andrea T. Bacani, rom the Supply Chain and Operations (SCO) consulting practice, represented the Firm during the event held at the Symphony Ballrooms of the Westin Manila in Mandaluyong City. They were also joined by SCO Manager Evelyn B. Yamzon during the event.  SGV Business Consulting Partner Jan Ray G. Manlapaz (third from right) represents SGV during the induction of SCMAP corporate members Aside from the induction of corporate members, the event also featured discussions on trends and developments that will impact the supply chain sector in 2024. This included insights from speakers such as Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Mary Jean Pacheco, who focused on applying a supply chain lens to regional industry issues; Philippine Retailers Association President Roberto Claudio Sr., who gave an overview of the country's retail sector; and Research, Education, and Institutional Development (REID) Foundation's Ronilo Balbieran, who presented his economic outlook for the year. SCMAP members also talked about the organization’s upcoming initiatives and activities. Newly inducted SCMAP corporate members’ representatives The SCMAP is a premier organization representing the country's supply chain industry. It advocates for industry enhancement, communicates relevant developments, and educates practitioners, all with a vision of driving the global competitiveness of the Philippine supply chain sector.

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Senior Associate Jennifer A. Climaco is now a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Jennifer received confirmation from the Project Management Institute (PMI) in December 2023 that after completing a series of courses, trainings, and practice exams, she has now met all requirements for PMP certification. FSO Senior Associate Jennifer A. Climaco, CPA, CLSSGB, PMP The PMP credential validates that its bearers have project management proficiency, real-world project leadership experience, and sound professional ethics. Covering distinct areas such as initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing a project, the examination tests one's proficiency in managing people, processes, and business priorities in any industry or methodology.  Congratulations, Jennifer!

Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Associate Khylie Anne C. Nicolasora passed the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. She successfully completed both parts of the CMA exam during the following testing periods: May-June 2023 (Part 1) and September-October 2023 (Part 2). The results were announced on 7 March 2024. SaT Associate Khylie Anne C. Nicolasora, 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, Khylie!

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Michael A. Madlangbayan was the resource speaker at the SGV Tax Basics Seminar (Tax BaSe) workshop on Income Tax Computation and Return Preparation held at the SGV Clark office. Michael at the SGV Tax BaSe workshop Michael discussed basic and updated income tax concepts, including guidance on the computation, filing and payment, substantiation/documentation, and administrative requirements. Leo (left) and Michael (right) during the Q&A session Atty. Margaux delivers the closing remarks Michael was also joined by GCR Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño in the question-and-answer session. SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula delivered the closing remarks. GCR Senior Manager Atty. Jan Kriezl M. Catipay facilitates polling questions The session was hosted by GCR Senior Manager Atty. Jan Kriezl M. Catipay, who also facilitated the Q&A session and knowledge checks during the discussion through a series of polling questions. Participants during the practical exercises The workshop was held to prepare participants for the Annual Income Tax Return filing deadline on 15 April 2024. The workshop registered the highest number of attendees in the Tax BaSe series in SGV Clark this fiscal year.

SGV paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The discussions revolved around PAGCOR’s approach to money laundering and terrorist financing, which involve strategies in line with the national policy and sanctions in the casino industry.  (From left to right) FinCrime AML/CTPF Senior Associate Damlouie Valladolid, Assurance Partner Christine G. Vallejo, FSO) Risk Management Leader Vicky Lee-Salas, PAGCOR Assistant Vice-President, AML Supervision & Enforcement Department Dave Fermin J. Sevilla, FinCrime AML/CTPF Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi, Cybersecurity Partner Carlo Kristle G. Dimarucut, and Forensic and Integrity Partner Roderick M. Vega Attendees included PAGCOR AML Supervision & Enforcement Department Assistant Vice-President Dave Fermin J. Sevilla, Asia Pacific Financial Services Organization (FSO) Risk Management Leader Vicky Lee-Salas, FinCrime AML/CTPF Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi, Forensic and Integrity Partner Roderick M. Vega, Assurance Partner Christine G. Vallejo, Cybersecurity Partner Carlo Kristle G. Dimarucut, and FinCrime AML/CTPF Senior Associate Damlouie Valladolid. More key points discussed during the meeting included adaptation to regulatory demands, data quality improvement, innovation, and collaboration. SGV showcased its support for covered organizations through first-generation capabilities, technological advancements, and collaboration in domains such as Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism, Forensics & Integrity Services, and Technology and Cybersecurity.

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Josenilo G. Mendoza and his team conducted a tax updates session for clients at the SGV Makati office. They discussed changes provided for under the new Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act and other relevant Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issuance updates to help clients prepare for the impact of the tax updates.   Nilo (left) and Fatma (right) during their respective discussions SGV Tax Leader Atty. Fabian “Fame” Delos Santos gave the welcome remarks. He also briefly discussed the current and anticipated changes in the country’s tax environment. Atty. Fame delivers his welcome remarks Tax updates session participants Nilo and GCR Senior Manager Fatma Aleah A. Datukon facilitated the technical discussions on the new EOPT Act provisions and other relevant tax updates, respectively. They also answered questions on their respective topics and entertained more questions from the participants during the question-and-answer portion.

SGV Partners and Managers joined the 2024 Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Geographical Area Office (GAO) Tax Conference with the theme “Beyond Compliance: Transcending Regulatory, Tax Challenges and Opportunities.” The two-day event was held at the Century Park Hotel Grand Ballroom in Malate, Manila. Around 200 participants per day attended the event. Tax Conference Committee Co-Chair Meynard Sardalla, PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia, Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See, and Tax Conference Committee Member Earvin Darren Lee PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia and Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See led the PICPA MMR GAO team. Tax Senior Directors Meynard Sardalla and Earvin Darren Lee served as Co-Chair and Committee Member, respectively. Meynard and Earvin also served as the Masters of Ceremonies during the event. Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See talks about the BIR’s 2024 Priority Plans Tax Partner Aaron Escartin during his lecture on gearing up for annual income tax activities Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See discussed the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR’s) 2024 Priority Plans and recent regulatory updates, while Tax Partner Aaron Escartin discussed the essentials and dos and don’ts in preparing the 2024 Annual Income Tax Return, which is due for filing on 15 April 2024. Aaron also joined a roundtable discussion with Tax Partner Atty. Thyrza Marbas on Day 1. PAS Immigration and ITTS Advisory Leader Atty. Fidela Reyes receives certificate and token of appreciation People Advisory Services (PAS) – Immigration and ITTS Advisory Leader Atty. Fidela Reyes was the guest speaker for Day 2. She discussed the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) 2.0 Pillar and highlighted its global and local tax impacts. Atty. Fidela, along with the other Day 2 speakers also addressed questions and clarifications from the audience during the roundtable moderated by Maricris. Earvin, Peter, Sonia, Aileen, Maricris, and Meynard pose for a group photo PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan, PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura, and PICPA MMR GAO Council Treasurer Francis Ricamora introduced some of the speakers.

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño was the resource speaker at a recently held Income Tax Computation and Return Preparation Workshop. A total of 221 participants attended the session, which registered the highest number of attendees in the Tax Basics Seminar (Tax BaSe) series this fiscal year. Leo discusses other taxable sources of income Leo discussed basic income tax concepts and updates, including guidance on the computation, filing and payment, substantiation/documentation and administrative requirements. GCR Senior Manager Atty. Jan Kriezl M. Catipay facilitates knowledge checks The session was hosted by GCR Senior Manager Atty. Jan Kriezl M. Catipay. She also facilitated the Q&A session and knowledge checks during the discussion through a series of polling questions. Income Tax Computation and Return Preparation Workshop participants The workshop was held to prepare participants for the Annual Income Tax Return deadline on 15 April 2024.

EY Asia-Pacific FSO Risk Management Leader Vicky L. Salas was a panelist at the EY International Women’s Day 2024 panel discussion on Work, Wellbeing and Women’s Health held on 7 March 2024 via Zoom. The panel discussion on uplifting social equity through educating and engaging on women’s health at work featured EY clients and community partners from across Asia Pacific. Introduction of panelists and moderator Among the topics discussed were unique women’s health and wellbeing challenges, such as pregnancy, menstrual difficulties, and menopause. The panelists highlighted that understanding and accommodating these challenges creates an environment where women can fully participate and contribute. Women’s reproductive health discussion Other panelists during the session were The Hybrid Gym Group, Hong Kong Gym Manager Dave Markham, Westpac Bank PNG Head of HR Olive Compain, and AIA Employee Proposition and Wellbeing Senior Manager Nicole Schwartz. EY Asia-Pacific FSO Director of Operations Kirsty McFarlane moderated the panel discussion.

SGV Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo was a key speaker at ISACA Manila Chapter’s International Women’s Day webinar titled “Count Her In: Accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment.” This webinar was the first IWD collaboration event between ISACA Manila, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, and Auckland and the New Zealand Network for Women in Security (NZNWS). It was held via Zoom on 7 March 2024. Rossana at the ISACA Manila IWD webinar Rossana highlighted the critical role that women play in the tech industry and the importance of addressing gender disparities within the sector. She offered various ways to close this gap, including nurturing girls' interest in STEM, hiring with a focus on gender balance, and supporting women's potential as leaders. She urged managers to back women in STEM leadership roles and called for society as a whole and government bodies to endorse tech careers for women and help finance the workforce's shift. Rossana talks about SGV/EY initiatives that support women in technology She further spotlighted two SGV and EY initiatives propelling this cause – the Women in Technology (WiT) program and the EY STEM App. The WiT program fosters the involvement and leadership of women in tech. It comprises educational programs to enhance girls' STEM skills and interest, mentorship to cultivate female tech leadership, support for women tech entrepreneurs, and efforts to diversify the tech workforce. The EY STEM App, a free gamified platform targeting girls aged 13-18, seeks to stimulate interest in STEM fields. The app offers convenient access to engaging content, empowering girls to take control of their learning progress.  Rossana with some of the webinar participants Rossana concluded her talk by encouraging the participants to continue upskilling and sharpening their tech competencies. She cited her personal career transition from an auditor to a tech consultant as an example. For the Q&A session with ISACA Manila members, Rossana emphasized the value of women in leadership roles, explaining that such diversity allows for a more holistic approach toward decision-making within companies.