The SEC is the registrar and supervisor of the Philippine business sector; It supervises more than 600,000 active companies and evaluates the financial statements (FS) filed by all companies registered with it. The SEC also develops and regulates the capital market, a critical component of the Philippine financial system and economy. In carrying out its mandate, the SEC contributes significantly to government revenue. • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – actively promotes the development of a globally competitive Philippine capital market, effectively regulates and supervises its operations, and disseminates reliable information to protect the investing public. This agency deals with the registration of the national company, partnership, representative office, branch, regional administration (RA) and regional head office of operation (ROHQ). We work together to achieve our common goals and tasks in a transparent and efficient manner. The Philippines is one of the most challenging countries in terms of “ease of doing business”. Apart from the 15 different procedures you need to follow, you also need to deal with different types of government agencies when registering your business. To help you deal with the bureaucracy in the country, here are some of the government agencies you need to deal with when doing business in the Philippines. Given the increasing number of companies and other forms of associations that the SEC supervises and supervises, and given the evolving nature of transactions in which the corporate vehicle is used to defraud the investing public, as well as the increasingly dynamic nature of the capital market, the SEC must progressively expand its essential role as a prudent registrar and supervisor of the corporate industry and as an independent custodian of the capital markets. perceive. On June 27, 2022, the government issued Executive Decree No.
175, which published the 12th Negative List for Foreign Investment (FINL). • Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) – is an affiliate of the Ministry of Finance responsible for assessing and collecting all internal taxes, fees and charges. The BIR also enforces all related forfeiture, penalties and fines. It is imperative that any company incorporated in the Philippines be registered with the BIR. The Revised Securities Act, or BP 178, in 1982 completely repealed CA 83 to make way for new legislation that would allow the SEC to keep pace with new, more complex securities, trading instruments, and strategies. BP 178 provided, among other things, for a more sophisticated information mechanism for securities to be offered to investors. In accordance with Rule 68, special accounting standards were adopted in 2001 as part of the SRC IRR. Rule 68 contains, inter alia, general guidelines for the preparation of financial services, accountability for financial services, qualifications and reports of independent auditors, additional requirements for independent auditors of companies regulated by the SEC and other entities, independence from statutory auditors, engagement of independent auditors, audit reports, including the accreditation of independent auditors, and the review of their quality assurance processes. Section 68 has been amended several times, most recently in 2011; and is being amended to ensure the reliability of the RHS and investor protection. Financial information bulletins (FRBs) shall also be issued by the Commission where necessary to cover additional accounting requirements. The Revised Companies Code (RCC) or RA 11232, signed by President Rodrigo R.
Duterte on February 20, 2019 and entered into force on February 23, 2019. February 2019, changed the nearly four-decade-old BP 68 and is among the legislative priorities of the current government. It is in line with the president`s 10-point socio-economic agenda, especially to increase the competitiveness of the Philippine economy and improve the ease of doing business in the country. The RCC aims for a more competitive business sector by applying international best practices and standards tailored to the needs and realities of the Philippine business environment and introducing new concepts and mechanisms to help the Philippines keep pace with changing times. Among the notable amendments to the Companies Code is the granting of an unlimited period to existing and future companies, unless there is a statutory provision. The RCC also allows the incorporation of a sole proprietorship, a company with a single shareholder and no minimum capital required. Another important feature of the RCC is the establishment of an emergency board of directors when a vacancy on a corporation`s board of directors prevents the remaining directors from forming a quorum and, therefore, from taking the necessary emergency measures to prevent serious, significant and irreplaceable loss or damage. We are ethical, honest, fair and sincere in our private and public lives.
Once the company has established or issued its business license, it must obtain a mayor`s permit from the local government unit responsible for its principal place of business. At this point, obtaining a barangay permit, hygiene permit, site permit, area certification, and community tax certificate are some of the supporting documents that must be submitted before a mayor`s approval is issued by the business permit and licensing office of the relevant city or municipality where the business has its place of business. A business that has more than one place of business must obtain permission from the mayor at each place where it operates. • Board of Investments (BOI) – is an agency affiliated with the Department of Commerce and Industry responsible for promoting investment in the Philippines. BOI helps Filipino and foreign investors venture and prosper in desirable areas of economic activity. Setting up a business in the Philippines requires a transaction with at least six (6) government agencies. There will be more government agencies to deal with when business is regulated, such as banks, non-bank financial institutions or insurance companies. • Philippine Economic Area Authority (PEZA) – is a Philippine government agency under the Department of Commerce and Industry established to encourage investment in export-oriented manufacturing in the country by helping investors register and facilitate their business operations and creating tax incentives. PEZA also supports investors who set up in service facilities in certain regions of the country (so-called PEZA Special Economic Zones), which are usually business process and knowledge process outsourcing companies.
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – is the executive branch of the Philippine government responsible for directing and overseeing the exploration, development, use and conservation of the country`s natural resources. The DENR handles all environmental regulations. The CCR also allows companies to introduce alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for corporate matters, with the exception of those relating to crimes and third-party interests. As part of efforts to facilitate business activities in the country, the JRC mandated the Commission to develop and implement an electronic filing and monitoring system. The SEC`s mandate is to adopt rules to facilitate and expedite, among other things, the reservation and registration of corporate names, incorporation, the filing of reports, notices, documents required by the Code, and the exchange of relevant information with other government agencies. To ensure optimal shareholder participation, RCC will facilitate the use of remote communications such as videoconferencing and teleconferencing at general meetings. Shareholders may also participate and vote in absentia. Email: baroffice.sc@judiciary.gov.ph; efile_bar.sc@judiciary.gov.ph Contains licensing requirements for key professional services offered to U.S. service providers.
Domestic and foreign workers and employers earning more than 1,000.00 Philippine pesos must register and pay to the SSS. Employers are required to register and pay a share of the SSS for their employees, which is deducted from their employees` regular salary. We act without fear or favouritism and exercise discernment in the discharge of our duties and responsibilities. The 12th Negative List eased restrictions on the rules governing foreign professional practice in the Philippines. The 12th FINL allows foreigners to practice professions in pharmacy and forestry, provided that their home countries grant Filipinos the same privilege. Specialists in radiology, X-rays, criminology and law are reserved for Filipino nationals. The Philippine government has appointed a large number of agencies that deal with all kinds of processes to set up a business in the Philippines. Starting your business here will likely take up a lot of your time – time you`d rather spend running your business.
There are a number of government agencies that you need to register with when starting a business in the Philippines. It is important to register your business to avoid legal problems once business activities begin.
