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PICPA is the globally recognized and integrated national organization of Filipino CPAs.

More than One Hundred Twenty Certified Public Accountants coming from the Metro Manila Region and our very own Province of Bohol in a display of unity and camaraderie attended the MMR Regional Conference in Cooperation with PICPA Bohol Chapter held from October 15-18, 2009 at the Bohol Beach Club. PICPA Metro Manila Region, composed of four Chapters, the Eastern Metro Manila Chapter, the Northern Metro Manila Chapter, the Southern Metro Manila Chapter and Western Metro Manila Chapter, has again reached out to its fellow PICPAns, this time to the Eastern Visayas Region, where Bohol belongs.

With the theme “ Live It Up… the PICPA Spirit” in celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the special gathering of accountants from various sectors of accountancy was made more meaningful with the presence of Mr. Antonio P. Tecson, the National President of PICPA. PICPA is the globally recognized and integrated national organization of Filipino CPAs.

A total of eight technical sessions were held with speakers who have gained mastery of their respective subject matter. The first session had no less than Hon. Eugene T. Mateo, the Chairman of the Board of Accountancy, Professional Regulations Commission, who was invited to lecture on the “ Road Map for the Accountancy Profession”. The second day was loaded as seven technical sessions were conducted. Hon. Gil S. Beltran, Undersecretary, Department of Finance started the second day technical session with his lecture on Economic Briefing: Programs to Mitigate Impact of Global Financial Crisis. Atty. Victorino C. Mamalateo, CPA, Partner of the V.C Mamalateo and Associates then discussed on the Taxpayer’s Rights and Remedies and Tax Updates. Ms. Judith V. Lopez, Chairman and Senior Partner of Isla Lipana and Co. then closed the morning technical sessions with her discussion of the “Changing Audit Practice Standards: Are We in the Loop?

The afternoon technical sessions began with the topic “ SEC Guidelines for Corporations and External Auditors” discussed by Atty. Ma. Gracia Casals- Diaz, General Accountant of SEC after which Ms. Judith V. Lopez, Atty. Hilconeda P. Abril, Supervising Auditor, COA and Ms. Corazon S. Rey, Vice President and Chief Audit Executive of SM Retail Inc. took their turns discussing about “ How are Industries Coping up with PFRS. Mr. Ricardo P. Lirio, the Former Managing Director, SES V, BSP followed with his discussion about Microfinance Updates. The last technical session was delivered by Mr. John T. Villa, Partner- SGV & Co. entitled “ PFRS for SMRs”.

More than twenty Boholano Certified Public Accountants attended the activity and was spearheaded by its dynamic PICPA- Bohol Chapter President, Rammel B. Cagulada. Other Officers of the PICPA- Bohol Chapter include: President-Elect, Cristifil D. Baluma; VP- Membership Development, Leoncia I. Millanar; VP- Professional Development, Danilo B. Tabaranza; Secretary, Clarissa G. Baluma; Treasurer, Joseth J. Celocia; Auditor, Celsa B. Maturan; Public Relations Officers, Maria Teresita J. Bitoy and Niña C. Acuzar; Sectoral Representatives: Teresita C. Irig ( Government), Zenon Tumanda ( Public Practice), Gregorio B. Austral (Education) and Ammon Denis R. Tirol ( Commerce and Industry).

The activity was an opportunity also to meet old and new acquaintances. Mr. Romualdo V. Murcia, III of Cabilano, Loon, Bohol, the 1st Placer of the 1997 October CPA Board Examination and now a partner of the Punongbayan and Araullo, who is a good friend of your Checkpoints also attended the activity. Truly, the activity reinforced the PICPA spirit and has helped the participants respond to the needs of the times.