THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has expanded its office in Mindanao with the opening of a new extension office in Koronadal City.

The extension office is located at the second floor of the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center along Alunan Avenue in Koronadal City.

“Strategically located within the SOCCSKSARGEN Region, the new extension office will enable easier access to SEC services such as company registration and compliance monitoring for the corporate sector, as well as investor education activities for the overall public,” the SEC said.

With the new office, businesses and investors in Soccsksargen — South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Gen. Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan — will no longer have to travel to the nearest extension office in Davao City to process SEC-related transactions, ensuring timely and efficient processing of applications, inquiries and complaints, it added.

Business consultant CEIC data pegged Soccsksargen’s gross domestic product last year at P620.38 billion.

The Philippine Statistics Authority in April reported the region grew its economy by 3.5 percent from the prior year.

The region, with its economy characterized by agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and trade, serves as a gateway to domestic and international markets especially for maritime trade through the Port of General Santos.

The SEC Koronadal Extension Office will allow the commission to reinforce collaboration with local government units and other agencies to promote economic policies and programs, as well as conduct capacity building and education projects related to investor education.

“The inauguration of the SEC Koronadal Extension Office marks our fifth extension office in the Mindanao region, bringing us closer to our goal of expanding our services to growing business hubs in the country,” said Emilio Aquino, SEC chairman. – Ruelle Castro

“The Commission recognizes the need for our services to be more accessible and convenient to encourage entrepreneurs to take advantage of the corporate vehicle in setting up their business, so that they be contributors to overall economic growth,” he added. 

The SEC Koronadal Extension Office is the commission’s 12th extension office in the country and is the second to be opened this year, after the inauguration of the Butuan Extension Office in March.

Other extension offices are located in Baguio, Tarlac, Legazpi, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.