Mata-Perez & Francisco (MPF) lawyers Roberto A. Baquiran and Jan Louenn L. Lumanta joined as lecturers and panelists on Basic Tax Issues Faced by Entrepreneurs at the seminar on “Business Taxation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),” sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry. The seminar was held on July 28, 2016, at the session hall of the legislative building of Cavite in Trece Martires City.

Atty. Baquiran, special counsel at MPF and a former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Assistant Regional Director, helped participants understand the BIR forms needed by their businesses. Atty. Lumanta, an associate at MPF, provided answers to frequently asked questions by MSMEs.

During the event, Mon Abrea of CSR Philippines, gave a talk entitled “Where do our taxes go?” and provided an overview of the BIR’s collection statistics and budget allocation.

More than 60 participants attended the said seminar.

Samuel Carlos, a participant from Cavite, mentioned that he had found the talks by the MPF lawyers and Mr. Abrea very educational. “I am more encouraged to do business now that I know all about taxes,” Carlos said. “Usually, for first-time business owners like me, we get apprehensive mostly about the topic of taxes. But today all my questions have been addressed.”

The seminar was held in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, CSR Philippines, Go Negosyo, the Abrea consulting group, and MPF.