SGV & Co., the Philippines’ largest multidisciplinary professional services firm, kicked off 2025 with its 3rd Tax Symposium, “Tax Governance Amidst an Evolving Regulatory Landscape”. The event, held on 8 January 2025 at The Fairmont, Makati, served as a platform for collaboration and sharing among taxpayers, regulators, tax practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders endeavoring to keep abreast with an evolving tax ecosystem where business models, processes and technologies, and tax rules and regulations are constantly progressing.
The Symposium featured Senator Win Gatchalian, who discussed the Senate’s priority tax legislations, as well as other notable speakers from various government agencies, who provided updates and insights on their respective areas.
National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon presented the Philippine economic outlook while Bureau of Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla of the Post Clearance Audit Group discussed the strategic priorities and achievements of BOC.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority Deputy Director General Vivian S. Santos zeroed in on the salient provisions of the CREATE MORE Act with Bureau of Internal Revenue Assistant Commissioner Lilibeth B. Maranan providing key updates on the BIR’s digitalization roadmap.
The ease of business initiatives and VAT on digital service providers were topics of Anti-Red Tape Authority Undersecretary Gerald G. Divinagracia and Department of Finance Director Euvimil Nina R. Asuncion.
The event was capped off by the Tax Symposium’s hallmark segment, Conversations with C-Suites, between host Rico Hizon and industry leaders. Jack Madrid, President and CEO of the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP); Randy Estrellado, Chief Operations Officer of Maynilad Water Services, Inc.; Ian Mulingbayan, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Pocket Communities; and Sylvester Wong, Vice President and Asia Lead for ESG and Sustainability Services of AECOM, provided their thoughts and perspectives on the day’s topics.
“This is an opportune time for all of us to not only refresh our tax knowledge, but to also deepen our understanding of how these new updates will impact our respective businesses and organizations,” SGV & Co. Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan said in his welcome remarks. “Aligned with SGV’s purpose of nurturing leaders and enabling businesses for a better Philippines, the SGV Tax team is deeply committed to our vision of an efficient, effective and fair tax ecosystem for our country where taxpayers are willing to comply, regulators are business partners, tax practitioners are armed with technical skills and integrity, and the Philippines becomes an investment haven and businesses flourish and contribute to the rise of a Better Philippines,” Tan remarked.
The 3rd Tax Symposium was presented by the SGV Knowledge Institute and spearheaded by SGV Tax Services. The SGV Knowledge Institute is a hub of intellectual exchange and advancement, driven by SGV & Co.’s thought leadership, experienced professionals, and extensive network of alumni, global EY professionals, and business and public sector allies. The SGV Knowledge Institute aims to promote insightful discourse and knowledge sharing through relevant learning events, aligning with SGV & Co.’s purpose to nurture leaders and enable businesses for a better Philippines.