New president aims to sustain MIFICPA resurgence

 Noli Santos, newly inducted president of the Marianas Institute of Filipino CPAs and Accountants, vowed Thursday to revive the organization and make it active in the island community once again.

Santos and the rest of the 2012 officers of MIFICPA were installed in a ceremony at the Pacific Islands Club Charley’s Cabaret last Saturday. Over 80 members and guests attended the ceremony.

Besides Santos, the new officers are Butch Ordas Jr., vice president – internal; Leila Hicaro, VP – external; Janice Joy Suguitan, secretary; Celia Vales, treasurer; Jocelyn Doreza, auditor; Marlon Estigoy, business manager; Rodolfo Urbano, public relations officer.

The board of directors is composed of Aileen Indino, Robert Reyes, Gerardo De Guzman, Edgar Genobaten, Adoracion Manibusan, Irene Santiago, Antonio Abantao, Ma. Luisa Paniegra, and Ignacio “Jhun” Bañadera who is the founding president of MIFICPA.

All officers were elected to their positions way back in August 2011 but the induction was pushed back to this month due to the immigration uncertainties that affected the organization’s members.

Established in September 1994, MIFICPA is composed of both accountancy and non-accountancy graduates for a minimal membership fee annually. The group, which became inactive from 2010 to 2011, now has over a hundred members.

Santos disclosed that he was actually elected VP internal and Robert Reyes as president. Santos explained, though, that Reyes is scheduled to leave Saipan for good this month. Since Santos is next in line, he was picked as Reyes’ replacement to lead the group.

The new president said that MIFICPA has lined up several activities throughout the year, starting with a tax seminar last Feb. 25. Future events include a seminar on advanced Microsoft Excel within the month and, hopefully, will be in collaboration with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office; a booth at the Pistang Pinoy celebration in June; Building and Fixing Computer class in coordination with POLO in July; regular beach cleanups; and Accountants’ Night and 18th anniversary celebration in Sept.

“While I’m new to the organization-having become a member only in 2009 right before it became inactive-I am deeply honored and grateful that the members gave me their vote of confidence and trust to lead them. I do take it as a challenge,” Santos told Saipan Tribune.

Santos is employed with Marianas Pacific Distributors, Inc. for over three years. Prior to that, he worked for the now defunct Pacific Gardenia, Marianas Medical Center, and PHI Pharmacy. In the Philippines, he was part of the accounting team of Gotesco Properties, Inc.

Besides MIFICPA, Santos is also active with the Northern Marianas Badminton Association and serves as a commentator once a month during the 11am Tagalog Mass at Mount Carmel Cathedral.

Santos noted that MIFICPA’s theme would help address the biggest challenge he will have to confront during his term, which is the economic downturn experience in the Commonwealth.

“With this kind of economy, we encourage our members to explore other opportunities in order to survive or to enhance their skills, allowing them to remain competitive in these changing times,” he explained.

Santos knows the importance of professional development, which is why MIFICPA endeavors to provide its members with regular seminars. He encouraged accounting professionals that are non-members to sign up with MIFICPA. Membership forms may be downloaded from their Facebook account.

For more information, contact Noli Santos, (president) at 285-6810 (nolsantos@yahoo.com) or the following officers: Aileen Indino (287-0305, aileenrindino@yahoo.com); Butch Ordas (789-9276, butchordas@yahoo.com); or Robert Reyes (789-6498, robert2reyes@gmail.com).