SGV Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) and Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (BNV) served as a panelist at the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) workshop organized by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham Philippines) on 16 September 2022 at the AmCham office in Makati City. The workshop aimed to answer the question: What does it mean to comply and how can obliged companies do so?
From L-R: Atty. Mimi Malvar of P&G, Benjamin Villacorte of SGV CCaSS, Crispian Lao representing PARMS and the National Solid Waste Management Commission, Ebb Hinchliffe - Executive Director of AmCham, Nanette Medved-Po of HOPE and Plastic Credit Exchange, Jon Alan Cuyno of Geocycle Holcim Philippines, and Atty. Joseph Fabul of Mondelez Philippines
The discussion focused on the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility Act (RA 11898). which lapsed into law in July 2022. To provide a better understanding of the audit requirements of the Act in particular, Benjamin discussed how companies’ EPR reporting can be audited. He provided insights based on SGV and EY practices as well as insights gained from engagements related to the circular economy.
Benjamin (far left) with the other panelists
During the open forum, the audience further inquired about how several brand owners have voluntarily done EPR programs in the past, even prior to the release of the legislation. The attendees also expressed interest in the possible guidelines to expect ahead of the release of the Act’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) expected by November this year.
