Bannering the theme: “𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴: 𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘗𝘈𝘴,” the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) is presently conducting its 78th Annual National Convention (ANC) from November 22-25, 2023, in the Province of Sorsogon, with several venues at Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium, Sorsogon City Convention Center (SCCC), Sorsogon Cultural Center of the Arts (SCCA), and Sorsogon State University (SorSU) Audio-Visual Hall & Social Hall.
With the Province of Sorsogon as this year’s host, the annual convention formally commenced with a grand opening program, wherein esteemed guests and attendees included Vice President of the Philippines, Hon. Sara Z. Duterte (Secretary, Department of Education) as the guest of honor, Sen. Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero, Hon. Ma. Ester E. Hamor (City Mayor, City Government of Sorsogon), Hon. Edwin “Boboy” B. Hamor (Governor, Provincial Government of Sorsogon), Atty. Randy B. Blanza (PICPA National President), Atty. Roland Café Pondoc (PICPA National Executive Vice President), and Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola (Chairman, Board of Accountancy), among others.
Intending to foster and advance the professional development of Filipino CPAs through insightful and timely themes, the four-day national annual event consisted of various plenaries, breakout sessions, and technical sessions regarding the 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳, 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳, 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦 & 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴, and 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 held at Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium, Sorsogon City Convention Center (SCCC), Sorsogon State University (SorSU) Audio-Visual Hall & Social Hall, and Sorsogon Cultural Center of the Arts (SCCA), respectively.
With an estimated 3,500 CPA attendees (𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺) across different regions in the country, the four-day convention was also proactively participated by the Sorsogon State University – Certified Public Accountant employees from the College of Business and Management (Sorsogon City Campus), namely: Prof. Dulce Corazon Lacson, Ms. Rose Andrea Dimaano, Mr. Joey Richard Dimaano, and Atty. Dominic Jason F. De Jesus, whereas the attendees from the College of Business Management and Education (Bulan Campus) are Prof. Michelle M. Bongalonta (Program Chair, Accountancy), Dr. Michael B. Bongalonta, Mr. Randy G. Delumen, Mr. Santos I. Gigantoca Jr., and Allyboy G. Militante.
Moreover, SorSU-Accounting and Budget Offices likewise joined the annual gathering, headed by Ms. Rosalie D. Labitag (Director, SorSU-Finance), alongside Ms. Analyn Dometita, Ms. Mary Frances Garcia, and Mr. Jordan B. Doroja (via online).
Meanwhile, prior to the formal opening of the 78th PICPA ANC, business opportunities seminars, trade fairs & exhibits, student’s (JPIAns) national experience – virtual via Zoom, city tours, as well as different sports tournaments were also conducted last November 22, 2023. Prof. Roman Julio B. Infante (Program Chair, Accountancy Program – Sorsogon City Campus) served as Co-director of the ANC Chess Tournament held at SorSU. Furthermore, 83 SorSUeño students taking up BS in Accountancy were among the event’s facilitators, led by Ms. Hilary Mae Belardo (President, SorSU-Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants).
Accordingly, the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) is the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of CPAs by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and has been awarded five times as PRC’s most outstanding AIPO among other professional organizations (PICPA, 2022). (SorSU PIO)
