The Securities and Exchange Commission has launched a slew of digital services that will make the registration and monitoring of corporations even easier across the country.
The offerings comes with a capital market initiative that allows for more investments in the agriculture sector.
The new services include the electronic SEC Universal Registration Environment (eSECURE); the electronic SEC Education, Analysis and Research Computing Hub (eSEARCH); the SEC API Marketplace; the electronic Registry Application for Market Participants (eRAMP); and SEC Check App 2.0. The new systems were launched by President Marcos during the agency’s 85th anniversary celebrations.
The SEC also launched the initiative called Securing and Expanding Capital for Farms and Agri-business Related Modernization Schemes (SEC FARMS).
“We are happy to report that in consonance with [the President’s] envisioned digital economy and e-governance program, we launch a wave of digital initiatives during this momentous occasion,” SEC chairman Emilio B. Aquino said.
The eSECURE initiative serves as a company’s gateway to SEC online services. Users log in to access their accounts without the need to individually log in to each service.
Through risk-based credentialing, eSECURE electronically authenticates the identity of SEC clients, thereby preventing unauthorized access to confidential company information. It works against the perpetration of investment scams and money laundering activities, as well as boost financial integrity and readily exacts accountability.
The eSEARCH and SEC API Marketplace will allow the public to obtain data from corporate reports submitted to the SEC.
Serving mainly as a tool for research and discovery, eSEARCH is an avenue for the public to purchase and download authenticated SEC documents online. Electronic copies of documents are in PDF with text layer format, allowing for easier collection and analysis of data.
The SEC API Marketplace allows the direct sending and ingestion of data from one application to another, without the need for a user or encoding on the receiving end, and for minimal data transfer in between. It expedites the availment of financial services, promotes financial inclusion, helps ensure financial stability, and addresses consumer protection concerns.
Another new service is eRAMP, a dedicated system for capital market professionals and institutions such as broker dealers and fund managers to manage their licensure with the SEC.
In line with the President’s priority programs on food security and agriculture, the SEC has launched SEC FARMS, aimed at Securing and Expanding Capital for Farms and Agri-business Related Modernization Schemes.
SEC FARMS streamline the requirements and procedures for agri-based companies registering securities for the purpose of raising capital for agriculture projects. Applications can be approved within 28 days from filing, subject to guidelines set by the agency.
President Marcos led the official inauguration of the SEC’s main office at the former UCPB building in Makati City acquired in 2022 to permanently house its main offices.
Its role is as corporate registrar by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 287. Enacted on June 3, 1938, the law authorized the agency to perform all functions related to the registration of corporations and associations.
