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The Journey of CPAs for Sustainability: A Legacy of Leadership

The Foundation of a Movement (2023)

The story of the Association began in January 2023 with a landmark collaboration between the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). Together, they launched a transformative five-day training program for the Certificate in Sustainability for Finance.

Prior to this launch, the ACCA awarded a scholarship to Dr. Rufo Mendoza, making history as the first Filipino to receive this prestigious certification. Dr. Mendoza, an accomplished academic who chaired the PICPA Sustainability and Integrated Reporting Committee from 2019 to 2021, was the natural choice to bring this global technology to the Philippines.

By April 2023, the inaugural training session drew 43 passionate CPAs. These pioneers answered a “higher calling”—not just to understand sustainability, but to champion it within the profession. Driven by Dr. Mendoza’s vision, the group formed the Association of CPAs for Sustainability Inc. (ACPAFSI), which officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2023.

 

Growth and Governance

The founding board, led by Dr. Rufo Mendoza as President, established a robust leadership team including:

  • Vice Presidents: Normita Villaruz and Sarah Songalia
  • Secretary & Treasurer: Almelito Casas and Lourdes Co
  • Board of Directors: James Paulo Agnes, Wendy Fajardo, Jocelyn Natividad, Maria Edelwina Carreon, Menardo de Acosta, Maria Cristina Cabalsan, Romchelo Cueto, Marita Capinpin, Sharmaine Sanchez, and Christian Fev Cendaña.

The Presidency of Normita Villaruz (2025)

For the year 2025, Normita L. Villaruz, Founding and Managing Partner of Villaruz, Villaruz & Co., CPAs , served as President. Leveraging her strategic role as Chair of the PICPA MMR Sustainability Committee since 2024, she led the successful collaboration between ACPAFSI and PICPA Metro Manila Region and its four (4) Chapters, together with the leadership and Officers of the four (4) sectoral organizations – Education, Public Practice, Commerce & Industry, and Government — as well as the meaningful involvement of the Financial Executives of the Philippines (FINEX) and its Environment Committee, in mounting landmark initiatives, among others , as follows:
  1. First Annual Sustainability Conference with the Theme: “Sustainability Towards A Regenerative Future” held on January 11, 2024, together with PICPA MMR and its four Chapters and PICPA NO Sustainability Committee, at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, with speakers from major corporate sustainability advocates such as SM Investments Corporation, GCash, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Ayala Corporation, and ACEN, alongside leaders from large, medium, and small firms, ACCA, and Morison Global;
  2. Second Annual Sustainability Conference with the Theme: “Sustainability: Prioritizing A Collective Responsibility” held on January 16, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom, Century Park Hotel, Manila, with 198 attendees, jointly organized with PICPA MMR, GAO, and ACPACI;
  3. 1st Annual General Membership Meeting with the Theme “From Commitment to Clarity: Sustainability Reporting Developments in the Region and Getting Started” held on May 21, 2025, at Richmonde Hotel Ortigas.
  4. Joint Mid-Year Sustainability Summit with the Theme: “Driving Impact and Creating Value: Empowering CPAs to Lead A Sustainable Future” held on October 13-14, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom, Century Park Hotel, Manila, jointly organized with PICPA MMR and GAO;
  5. GRI Seminar and Strategic Planning Sessions with the Topic “A Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and their Interoperability with the International Financial Reporting (IFRS) Standards on Sustainability” held on December 11, 2025, at the Discovery Suites Ortigas.
These platforms significantly expanded the reach of sustainability advocacy within the profession while strengthening institutional partnerships and growing membership, including new members inducted during the Annual General Membership Meeting.
 
Throughout the year, ACPAFSI translated its vision into meaningful action through environmental and community initiatives such as:
  1. The Coastal Clean-Up Drive on March 8, 2025, at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park, conducted in collaboration with the Philippine Navy under the leadership of PN Capt. Medardo Jun Deacosta;
  2. Participation in PICPA EMMC Tree Planting Activities on November 4, 2023, at Sitio Apia, Brgy. Calawis, Antipolo City
  3. Participation in PICPA EMMC Tree Planting Activities on May 17, 2025, at Camp Niño, Tanay Rizal;
  4. Participation in Dan’s Fast Forward Outdoor: A Trail Fest and Tree Planting Activities on July 5, 2025, at the Bamboo Bills Leisure Farm in Nasugbu, Batangas;
  5. The Sustainability Fun Run promoting health, unity, and environmental awareness held on August 24, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The Association amplified its voice represented and participated in by President Noemi, through key speaking engagements about Sustainability, as follows:

  1. The Philippine Council of Deans and Educators in Business (PCDEB) 24th Annual National Conference in Clark, Angeles City on April 26, 2025, where she spoke on “Green Finance: Transforming Business for Long-Term Impact”;
  2. The 6th ASER 2025 International Research Conference at the University of the East Caloocan Campus on June 17, 2025, where she delivered a presentation on “Innovative Financing Models for Inclusive and Sustainable Business Practices”;
  3. The FINEX Cebu Second General Membership Meeting (via Zoom) on June 19, 2025, where she spoke on Green Finance.
These joint platforms significantly expanded the reach of sustainability advocacy within the profession and positioned the Association at the forefront of sustainability leadership.
 
Through these initiatives, ACPAFSI strengthened its institutional partnerships, broadened its linkages across the profession and key stakeholders, and achieved meaningful growth in membership. Her leadership further reinforced the Association’s mission to advance sustainability as a core pillar of professional practice while fostering greater engagement, collaboration, and shared purpose among members.

The 2026 Vision: Shaping the Future

For the year 2026, the leadership transitioned to the third President, Sarah Songalia. Building upon the strong foundations laid by Dr. Mendoza and Ms. Villaruz, she facilitated a strategic revisiting of the organization’s vision to ensure it remains relevant in a rapidly evolving financial and economic landscape.

  • Vision: A future where sustainability is a way of life.
  • Mission: To inspire, lead, and empower individuals and organizations in shaping a world where sustainability and strategic financial planning are integral to every decision.

Milestones of Impact

The Association has maintained a steady momentum through its National Sustainability Conferences:

  • 2024: Partnered with PICPA Metro Manila for the first conference, “Sustainability Towards a Regenerative Future,” which featured the launch of Dr. Mendoza’s book, Understanding Sustainability in Business.
  • 2025: Hosted the 2nd Sustainability Conference at Century Park Hotel, focusing on “Prioritizing a Collective Responsibility,” followed by the Mid-Year Sustainability Summit in October 2025.
  • 2026: Under the current administration, the Association continues to expand its reach, recently opening membership to all interested CPAs to ensure the succession of sustainable leadership across all sectors of the Philippines.
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