True to its commitment to empower and develop Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, the Association of CPAs in Commerce & Industry (ACPACI) headed by its President, Mr Aphat C. Martinez, paid a virtual courtesy call to officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) led by Under Secretary Blesilda Lantayona on March 2, 2022.
During the virtual visit, Mr. Martinez introduced the ACPACI team, which is composed of Ms. Cecille Carandang, ACPACI’s VP for Community Development; Mr. Dexter Ortegas, Chair of ACPACI’s Community Development Committee, and other ACPACI officers and members, which include Mr. Ray Berja, EVP; Ms Wennie Lemen, Auditor; Ms. Edith Peralta and Ms. Sonia Segovia, committee members.
The purpose of courtesy call was to forge partnership with DTI for its various projects that will capacitate and empower MSMEs. Mr. Ortega discussed the proposed series of webinars that ACPACI has lined up to serve the needs of the MSMEs (and their stakeholders), and to guide and hone their skills in understanding their businesses such as Financial Statement Analysis, Technology Summit, SME Summit and Beyond Finance and Accounting. The proposed collaboration between ACPACI and DTI is geared toward intensifying and upgrading MSMEs role as indispensable partners in nation building.
DTI expressed its commitment to fully support all future endeavors of ACPACI, particularly in providing webinar series and consultations in the areas of accounting, finance and technology solutions that will enable SMEs become more sustainable ventures. Other DTI officers present at the meeting were Mr. Jerry T. Clavesillas, Director of the Bureau of Small Medium Enterprise Development (SMED); Ms. Emma C. Asusano, Director of Negosyo Center-Project Management Units; and Ms. Susan Mae Salonga, Chief, Policy Research Division.