by: Rossano C. Luga
(PICPA Davao Director Commerce/Industry Sector)
“If I could bring back the hands of time, I would render my internship with a prestigious company”, said Beverlie C. Montebon, PICPA Davao president 2018- 2019. PICPA is the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accounts.
Instead of crying over spilt milk, Montebon turned her lament in an advocacy to assist accounting students render their on-the-job training (OJT).
Just recently, PICPA Davao entered into an understanding with three organizations namely the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines- Mindanao Chapter (AmCham Mindanao) on June 7 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Rotary Club of East Davao (RCED) on June 18 at The Marco Polo Davao and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Mindanao Chapter (ECCP Mindanao) on June 21 at The Park Inn by Radisson Hotel.
Signing for the AmCham Mindanao, ECCP Mindanao and RCED were Atty. Leoncio P. Villa-Abrille, Antonio S. Peralta, and Prudencio C. Tan, Jr., chairman and presidents respectively.
Executive Director of the AmCham Manila Ebb Hincliffe witnessed the document signing.
Meanwhile, diplomats from the European countries were present during the signing with the ECCP Mindanao: from the European Union Delegation, H. E. Ambassador Franz Jessen, Attaches Aurimas Zabulis and Antoniou Archontoula and Economist Rose Pamittan, from the Embassy of France, Economic Counsellor Laurent Estrade and Deputy Head of the Economic Department Camille Chabe, H. E. Ambassador Saskia de Lang of Netherlands, H. E. Ambassador Harald Fries of Sweden, Hungary Ambassador Jozsef Bencze, First Secretary Koen Du Pont Belgium, Deputy Head David Ambrus of Hungary, and Chargé d’Affaires Mihai Sion of Romania.
The unprecedented accord enables PICPA Davao and its partner organizations to engage with its stakeholders and the academe in assisting students in Davao and elsewhere in Mindanao.
Such commitment to support students of colleges and universities paves the way to prepare accountancy graduates for professional work through relevant on-the-job training (OJT) or internship.
Internships allow future accountants and members of the business workforce to get first hand experience and equip them with necessary exposure in the actual business and /or corporate set-up.
These business and civic organizations composed of businessmen, companies and individuals with large membership base are in the best position to assist and provide the necessary platform for the OJT program.
Montebon’s successor, Lord Eddie I. Aguilar vowed to continue the program. He looks forward to forging partnerships with other business chambers, local and foreign and possibly with other civic organizations.
