PICPA MMR: REBOOT, REFRESH, RESTART…

PICPA METRO MANILA REGION (MMR) has a new leader at the helm, Ma. Luisa B. Villacorta, last year’s VP for Operation and Past President of the Eastern Metro Manila Chapter (EMMC). Her energetic and hyper demeanor is evident in her vision for PICPA MMR, as quoted from her inaugural and acceptance speech, where she exhorts us to be “part of a revolution that imbibes optimism, national pride, love of country (patriotism), unity and a desire to change for the better (pro-action).” She further challenges us to “take part in the call for social transformation”.

Chair Villacorta, calls on the region and its chapters to focus on the core activities that keep our organization ever moving forward, such as Professional Development, Membership Growth, Social Involvement, and Administration. Our Chair gave in her separate keynote address, the four-point objectives in developing programs: First, to conduct seminars/fora/workshops for professional development. There are new challenges in the business world today which require retooling and more responsive strategies. There are business experiences by a number of companies which can serve as case studies on how to meet 21st century business challenges.

Second, to increase our membership base by way of semi-annual induction of newly-passed CPAs and at the same time, ensure retention of our existing members. Third, to engage in social responsibility projects like tree planting, medical/dental missions, adopt a scholar and livelihood projects. We can encourage our members to launch CSR projects in their respective companies. At the same time, the MMR as a volunteer group, an contribute its effort in established projects like cleaning up the Pasig River, building homes and outreach programs for children. And lastly, to ensure the MMR council and the four chapters and [their] members get full support of the Secretariat in terms of administrative back-up and updated and reliable financial reports.

Our chapters have achieved so many citations and most of them have garnered the “Hall of Fame” status. It is only through unity and professionalism that MMR and its chapters can continue to maintain such reputable standing and our humble leader believes, “...that I cannot do this single-handedly. I therefore, would like to request as early as now, the understanding and support of everybody.” And quoting further, words from her inaugural speech which summed up everything she wanted to impart, “The success of MMR, shall require full support for the MMR Council Officers and the entire PICPA MMR membership. I would like to highlight the essence of being a PICPA officer. We are the stewards to whom this professional organization has been entrusted. Let us give our best, and only the BEST, with our members’ interest in our hearts and minds. Let us not rest on [the] past achievements. Let us REBOOT, REFRESH, and RESTART.”

Just as our country is off to a fresh start with our newly elected President, PICPA Metro Manila Region is eager to REBOOT, REFRESH, and RESTART.

METRO MANILA REGION ACTIVITIES
PLANNING FOR YEAR 2010-2011 IN JUNE

Brilliant minds of the PICPA MMR and its chapter officers converged during the planning conference held last June 5, 2010 at the Subic Holiday Villas. The incoming officers and committee chairs of each chapter were all game for the different activities Francis Ricamora (Chair, MMR Planning Conference) and Lorraine Dimayuga (Treasurer, MMR Council Treasurer) prepared for the event. It was where teamwork, good communication skills, and creativity emerged from each chapter. Chair Villacorta reminded everyone of the importance of accountability and adherence to the code of ethics in her keynote speech, “PICPA is an old and revered professional organization. It is now 81 years old… founded by illustrious men in the profession. It is a good time for us young ones, or relatively younger CPAs (members) to reboot, refresh, re-start.”

STARTING RIGHT IN JULY

Metro Manila Region started the fiscal year with a very appropriate professional development seminar aligned with our Chair’s focus, a seminar on “Code of Ethics and Good Governance” held July 7, 2010 with Rosalinda Evangelista , Ph. D as resource speaker.

Metro Manila then celebrated the Accountancy Week which we opened with a Tree Planting at the La Mesa Ecopark, wherein 100 trees were planted on our behalf, after which a Eucharistic celebration was held last July 18. On July 19, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel, MMR continued the celebration by offering technical sessions on: “PFRS Trends and Updates” with Ms. Josephine Adrienne Abarca, a Partner Financial Services Risk Management of SGV & Co. as guest speaker; “Governance, Risk Management and Compliance (GRC): Weaving Them Together” with Mr. Reginald C. Nery a Partner in Risk Advisory Services of Manabat, Sanagustin & Co. (KPMG), as guest speaker; “The Signs of the Times – Occupational Fraud” with Ms. Lilian S. Linsangan, Partner and Division Head of Specialist Advisory Services of Punongbayan and Araullo (P&A), as guest speaker; and “Good Governance in Government” with Hon. Ernesto D. Acosta, Presiding Justice (Chairman) of the Court of Tax Appeals as guest speaker. Our last guest speaker was our inducting officer in the formal induction rites.

As part of the Accountancy Week celebration, MMR adopted the Bacolod Chapter and we gave financial donation amounting to ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) half of which was personally sponsored by our ever generous Chair. She was invited by the Bacolod Chapter to give a short message during their Induction Rites.

After all the formalities, MMR sponsored a bowling tournament on the last day of the Accountancy Week celebration wherein the bowling prowess of our members was revealed. Northern Metro Manila Chapter emerged as the overall winner of the tournament with Western Metro Manila Chapter and Eastern Metro Manila Chapter garnering the second and third place, respectively.

Right after the accountancy week celebration, there was an in-house seminar entitled “PFRS/PAS vs. Tax and Deferred Income Tax” that was conducted with Dr. Rosalinda D. Evangelista and Dr. Ruperto Somera as resource speakers.

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, MONTHS TO REMEMBER

These months were filled by seminars sponsored by MMR which delved on “PFRS/PAS Trends and Updates”; “Risk Based Audit Methodology”; “Philippine Standards on Auditing (PSA)”; and “Code of Ethics and Good Governance”.