THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it will implement starting Thursday, Jan. 13, a “zero face-to-face transaction” policy to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“All applications for company registration, submissions of reportorial requirements, and other transactions in (the) main office in Pasay City and former headquarters in Mandaluyong City will be processed through (SEC’s) online portals, e-mail, courier, and other remote means,” the commission said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday.
The commission also said that the policy is consistent with the Ease of Doing Business Law, and that it will maintain a skeleton work force and implement other alternative work arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of services despite the changes.
“For the registration of domestic stock and nonstock corporations and for the recording of partnerships and licenses to do business for foreign corporations, applicants may use the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC),” it noted.
They may also use the One-day Submission and E-registration of Companies under the eSPARC for the registration of domestic stock corporations.
At the same time, the commission reminded companies that they must use the Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST) to submit their annual financial statements (AFS) and general information sheets (GIS).
It said that eFAST also accepts Sworn Statement for Foundation/Nonstock, Nonprofit Organizations Forms, General Form for Financial Statements, Special Form for Financial Statements, Affidavit of Non-Operation, to be filed with the AFS/GIS, and Affidavit of Non-Holding of Annual Meeting, to be filed with the GIS.
Online and cashless payment options through the commission’s Electronic System for Payment is also available. — Arjay L. Balinbin
