Overview & History
The Birth of ISACA Manila Chapter
In June 1992, the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) formed the EDP Committee, a task force that will oversee the development of the Information Systems Plan (ISP) for PICPA. This committee was headed by Chairman Vir Leynes and assisted by Lyn Geronimo (Vice-Chairman), Teri Siddayao (Secretary), Lou Agravante (Treasurer), Esa Atienza (Member), Ruby Chunsim (Member) and Robert Villanueva (Member).
The group met every Wednesday to work on this project and after a year, the ISP project of PICPA was completed. PICPA was then ready to commence software development. For the second time, the committee was commissioned to spearhead the bidding and awarding of the project to qualified software houses.
This committee was to be dissolved as soon as the project for software development was awarded to a contractor. The group’s commitment to serve the Accounting/Auditing profession was so strong that they would have wanted to serve the profession in a more permanent manner.
On Lyn Geronimo’s suggestion, the group started the organization of ISACA-Manila Chapter. Vir Leynes contacted ISACA International (USA) to discuss the interest and feasibility of forming the local chapter. ISACA International responded favourably and welcomed the group into its umbrella.
Thus the Manila Chapter was born. The organizational meeting to address the formation of ISACA-Manila Chapter was held November of 1995. The group invited Bella Valdez, Ana Lim, Reggie Nery and Mel Diaz to join. There were only 11 members present during the meeting but 15 members were required according to the by-laws and articles of incorporation. To complete the legal requirements for forming the chapter, Lou Agravante and Bella Valdez invited other staff members of the SGV Computer Audit Group to attend the meeting and sign the SEC papers. The papers were submitted to SEC and the articles and by-laws were approved in March 1996.
The first general membership meeting and oath taking of the first Board of Trustees was held at the PhilCom Building’s Board Room on January 20, 1996.
ISACA Manila Today
The Manila Chapter organizes various talks, seminars, conference, forums and other activities to keep our members informed of the latest IT Governance, Control and Assurance issues for members and other IT governance professionals both from public and private organizations. This contributed immensely to the recognition of the ISACA Manila Chapter as the premiere IT Governance Institution in the Philippines.
Furthermore, its effort has been geared towards reaching out not only to the IT Governance in industry, but also to the government sector and the academe. The Chapter is currently is the process of establishing linkages in these two additional areas, to develop a top-of-mind recall for the Chapter in matters relating to IT Governance.
All the efforts of the ISACA Manila Chapter have paid off, particularly after having grown to the category of a large chapter. Various recognitions have been awarded to the Chapter by ISACA International. This shows that the thrusts of the Chapter has been in line with the objectives of headquarters.