The SEC-Bacolod Extension Office. (File photo courtesy of Securities and Exchange Commission)
BACOLOD CITY – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-Bacolod Extension Office is gearing up towards digitalization as it aims to strengthen its services for the entire Negros Island next year.
“It is the mandate of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for government offices to be fully digitalized. We are making use of technology, the internet, to make life easier for the public. For faster and more efficient public service,” said Director II Annabelle Corral-Respall during a press briefing Wednesday.
The SEC-Bacolod Extension Office has jurisdiction over stock and non-stock corporations and partnerships registered in Negros Occidental and Oriental.
Its three major functions include monitoring, investor protection and enforcement and investigation.
Data showed that in Negros Occidental, there are 8,224 registered stock corporations; 4,646 non-stock corporations; and 712 partnerships, while in Negros Oriental, there are 1,075 stock corporations; 824 non-stock corporations; and 207 partnerships.
Corral-Respall said not all their clients are based in urban areas, noting that they also cater to farmers and indigenous peoples' groups living in far-flung areas.
“There’s still much to be done in popularizing online services and (to have) full acceptance especially those with difficulty accessing internet service,” she added.
In line with the digitalization of services, starting Feb. 1, 2023, all payment transactions will be done online via the eSPAYSEC payment system using debit and credit cards or electronic wallets.
All requests for registration of stock and non-stock corporations and partnerships should be done through ESPARC online registration system.
Both of these services can be accessed at www.sec.gov.ph.
Also, requests for documents, monitoring, and amendments can be done by sending email at [email protected] or [email protected].
Client training, anti-investment scam seminars, and clarificatory conferences can also be done online via Zoom to minimize face-to-face interactions as part of the precautionary measures against Covid-19 and further improve the ease of doing business in the country. (PNA)
