In order to make its services more accessible to the public, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has begun to set up mall-based satellite offices.
The first such office, located at SM City Manila, will be inaugurated by the end of this month.
The satellite office will offer frontline services to businesses such as receiving general information sheets, audited financial statements, articles of incorporation and amendments to the articles.
SM City Manila was chosen for its strategic location.
Soon, a second satellite office will open in SM North EDSA, Quezon City, according to SEC Chairman Teresita Herbosa. In progress are negotiations for more of these mall-based SEC extension facilities in provinces like Isabela.
In making this move, the SEC follows the cue from other government offices, like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which have successfully extended their respective services by using mall space and facilities.
The Department of Trade and Industry has also put up business name registration kiosks in several SM branches.
The SEC, with main headquarters in EDSA, Mandaluyong City, has very limited extension offices, making it difficult for many business firms to transact business with the agency. “Can you imagine the traffic you have to go through to go to EDSA Mandaluyong, …. And our building is not that new anymore; you canot have so many people there,” Herbosa added.
The SEC will enjoy the same arrangements the other government agencies do in running offices in malls: Space will be free but utilities have to be paid by the office.
Photo: From www.interaksyon.com