President's Report

March 18, 2021
 

❤️ Salutation
To Board of Accountancy Chair, Honorable Dr. Noe Quiañola who was our distinguished speaker in the morning session; to Board Members, Chapter Presidents, Past Presidents, officers  and members of ACPACI; to our distinguished speaker Mr. Manuel De Vera, fellow CPAs, colleagues and friends – a very pleasant afternoon to all and welcome to ACPACI’s 1st General Membership Meeting.

Last week, we have been greeted or reminded through social media of an anniversary – anniversary of lockdown due to Covid-19.  A year of lockdown might have changed our perception in life  and this afternoon’s session will enlighten us more in the aspect of “Business Resiliency and Recovery: Why it Matters”.

❤️ ACPACI Founding Anniversary
As I mentioned anniversary, do you know that ACPACI is now celebrating its 48th year founding anniversary?  Our organization was established on March 18, 1973. So, let me greet you my fellow ACPACIans a very Happy Anniversary! 2 years more for the 100 years of our Accountancy Profession and 2 years more for ACPACI’s Golden Year celebration.

❤️ 2021 Theme
In yesterday’s launching of the Centenary Celebration of the Accountancy Profession as organized by ACPACI in collaboration with Board of Accountancy and PICPA, I was able to share ACPACI’s 2021 adopted theme  “Reimagine and recover.  RISE in the Next Normal”.  This theme  reminds everyone that this extraordinary time is also bringing out the best in us – “R” in RISE is for “Resilience” – we continue to stand up regardless how hard and painful we fall; “I” for “Innovation” – just like we, accountants having the creative minds in the ever changing business landscape; “S” for “Solidarity” – pandemic shows that we work effectively if we act cohesively; and “E” for “Excellence” – if being resilient is to survive, to excel is to thrive and grow.  I have to give credit to my fellow BODs and officers and ACPACIan Ray Berja regarding our 2021 theme.  

❤️ Collaboration with PRBOA & PICPA
I want also to thank Chair Aphat Martinez for leading the collaboration with Board of Accountancy and PICPA on the launching of Centenary Celebration.

Let me share with you the activities of our organization, for the past months and forthcoming projects:

❤️ Planning Session
In the early part of this year, ACPACI Board Members, Committee Chairpersons and Chapter Presidents had a productive whole day Planning Session and able to come up with relevant and exciting projects for 2021.

❤️ 2nd National Summit
ACPACI collaborated with PICPA – Commerce & Industry Sector, Metro Manila Geographical Area Office, Metro Manila Region and PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter in holding the 2ndst National Summit of CPAs in Commerce & Industry January 28 and 29 with theme of “Strengthening Accountancy’s Commerce & Industry Sector for Tomorrow’s Challenges and Opportunities”. This was attended by around 400 participants.
 

❤️ Webinars
Our Professional Development Committee headed by BOD Flor Odulio and Chair Marvin Madrigalejo developed modules and we have strings of webinars for the 1st half of the year for our members and fellows CPAs.  We invited the best and noted professionals in their fields of expertise:

March 13 – BIR and SEC Updates
April 24 – PEZA and BOI and Other Incentives:  Everything You Need to Know
May 15 – Taxation of Non-Stock and Non-Profit Organizations
May 29 – Advance Financial Statement Analysis

You may register as early as now.  Join our webinars and learn from the industry leaders about the current and future trends affecting the accounting profession.

❤️ Digital Transformation
One of the exciting projects we have is the ACPACI’s roadmap in the digital transformation through our Publication, Website and Social Media Committee. This is to better serve our members. You can now connect with ACPACI using our website and mobile app and get instant chat and email responses from our Secretariat. 
 
We have also created self-service online portals in our website where members and prospective members can apply for membership and register to ACPACI’s events anywhere and anytime, with limited manual intervention from our secretariat.

In the same website, we have started compiling resources mainly from webinars, conferences and meetings. ACPACI members can now conveniently download copies of the presentation materials and watch recorded videos. Moreover, ACPACI members can also engage in meaningful conversations among members and advocates though our event forum. Many thanks to BOD Allan Palacio, Publication Committee Chair Loudie Falguera and its members.

❤️ Joint Letter 
Together with PICPA, Association of CPAs in Public Practice (ACPAPP), Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) and Bankers’ Association of the Philippines (BAP), we have forwarded on March 16 to the Department of Finance and Insurance Commission our joint letter request for a 45 day filing extension of reportorial requirements such as the Audited Financial Statements and Income Tax Returns, due to work restrictions and limitations of pandemic situation. We will update you once we received response from DOF and Insurance Commission. 

❤️ ACPACI Cares
ACPACI, in partnership with SM Foundation and Philippine Association of Management Accountants donated on March 6 the much needed medicines, food and laundry detergents for the benefit of over 140 elderly who are under the care of Golden Reception and Action Center and Other Cases or GRACES in Quezon City.  ACPACI is grateful for the donation in behalf of our organization, to our BOD and Social Involvement Committee Chair, Flor Gorospe.  Thanks also for our Committee Chair, Noel Tan in arranging and supervising the activity.

❤️ SOASP  
For our 22nd  Search for Outstanding Accounting Students of the Philippines or SOASP which is in partnership with PICPA and P&A Foundation, 54 out of 437 accounting students will move on the semi-final round.  The finals will be on April 30.  I want to thank P&A Foundation for leading this important activity as well as to BOD Edna Constantino and Past President Wowie Roguel.

❤️ Bingo On-line Fellowship Game
We will be having our Bingo On-line Fellowship Game on May 8 at 1pm.  There are lots of prizes on stake and this on-line game is our Donation for Cause.  Proceeds will go to various ACPACI social involvement projects and scholarship program.  So, please support this activity.  Thanks to ACPACIan Ms. Kathie Sobremonte for spearheading this fellowship game.

❤️ Closing
I may have took much of the time.  Just like all of you, I am also optimistic of what 2021 offers.  Yes. Excitement and lots of surprises.  In behalf of ACPACI, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all, to ACPACI BODs, Chairpersons, Committee Members, Past Presidents, friends and sponsors for all your continued support. God bless and maraming salamat po!