ACOBA, ANGELICA A.

DE JESUS, JOSHUA A.
NUQUI, CALVIN DAVE G.
PALAY, CHARLIEMAGNE S.

Transcription of the Interview with

Mr. Joselito Diga, Chief Financial Officer of UNILAB

Calvin: Good afternoon sir. We are accountancy students from San Beda. Im Calvin Nuqui.
Joshua: Im Joshua de Jesus Sir.
Mr. Diga: Joshua.
Joshua: Yes sir.
Angel: Im Angel Acoba po.
Mr. Diga: Angel.
Charlie: And Im Charliemagne Palay.
Mr. Diga: Nice to meet you guys. Im Lito Diga, the CFO of UNILAB.

INTERVIEW PROPER:

Angel: What are the basic functions of a finance officer?

Mr. Diga: That varies, but the basic tasks of a finance officer include of course, making sure that
book of accounts are done properly in accordance with standards, and to meet the reporting
requirements for your external users and your internal users, and also, to be involved in policies
and processes. To ensure the proper use of your companys assets and to make sure that all these
resources are properly controlled. And third, is to be involved in decisions that are needed for the
strategic success of the organization.

Angel: How about the challenges, Sir?

Mr. Diga: Thats quite varied. It depends on the nature of the business, the nature of the
organization, the competitive environment that you belong to, the culture of the organization, what
kind of resources we have access to? For example, in the case of UNILAB, a key challenge would
of course be the purchasing power of the market. Because we are in the Philippines, purchasing
power is very important. So we have to make sure that the products are not only relevant but also
affordable. So how do you now ensure the profitability in an environment where you need to put
everything quite affordable.
Angel: So sir, in that case po, under your leadership, what efforts does your company do to ensure
financial stability?

Mr. Diga: Well, one is, to make sure that your financial programs and your financial objectives
are clear. It is important to set the right objectives in terms of profitability, cash flow, and financial
stability. So having clear objectives is certainly very important. Now, the other is to make sure you
have very strong systems and processes systems, processes, and controls, because you have to
have good top-down controls. For example, your budgeting system, it has to be very good. Your
reporting has to be reliable. It has to be timely and it has to address the needs of both your external
users and your internal users. So another important aspect is being very active in decision-making.
So finance has to be, involved in making decisions about the direction of the business, about
investments, whether it is operating expenses or capital investments. You need to be able to do the
analysis.

Calvin: In relation to the SONA of President Duterte, last July 24, what are the changes in the
financial market are you expecting?

Mr. Diga: One of the key programs is infrastructure development. There is a big need for
infrastructure. So in order to fund the infrastructure, we need to improve revenue collection of the
government. So one is the comprehensive tax reform. So this comprehensive tax reform would be
be the biggest change in the tax environment ever since the previous comprehensive tax reform
program during the time of President Cory Aquino. So it will affect a lot of areas, both in terms of
direct taxes and indirect taxes. It is going to to affect businesses.

Calvin: And sir, what are the edges of your company against your competitors?

Mr. Diga: I think the biggest edge is that we have a lot of ah, weve been into business in health
care, for over seventy years now. So UNILAB is trusted quality health care. We have earned the
trust of many Filipinos over these many decades with quality and affordability of the products. We
are very Filipino-oriented. So were one of the good companies that continue to invest in R&B,
science and technology, and manufacturing, and the like.

Charlie: How do you train your Junior Financial officers to become an asset of your company?

Mr. Diga: In Unilab, we have very good training programs, both in terms of technical, or functional
knowledge, as well as other business skills. To be successful, you have to get good functional and
technical skills. You need to have god people skills to be able to work in teams and work in
projects. You have to have good general management skills. Never stop learning guys. Hindi yung
after college eh titigil ka na. Hindi. Its continous. Its continous learning.

Calvin: Are the youth or students like us, are also encouraged to engage in stock markets?

Mr. Diga: Well, okay naman stock markets, its a way to understand financial ano of companies,
to take money, and so on. But as a source of income, well personally, I think its more of a, unless
you want be a stock analyst, or stock broker, or you want to go to financial services, then that may
be something to look at. But as a source of regular income, it will be very hard to time the market;
time the market in buying and selling.

Joshua: Tell us naman po Sir about your success. What made you the person who you are today?
Mr. Diga: The big part of it is my stay in San Beda. Success is not something you will achieve
over life. And really, the only lasting wealth is when you develop yourself, all the qualities to
survive all the challenges that God has given to you. That is the only lasting success.

Reflections of Members:

Calvin Dave G. Nuqui:

What I have learned in this interview is Going Beyond. Going beyond in terms of not settling to
the things taught inside the classroom. Always explore, be creative, and have a curious mind and
desire to learn more things. Mr. Diga said that reading is a must; like reading the book of Robert
Kiyosaki. He also said that once we graduated, we should not stop learning and that we must have
a higher clerical thinking. After becoming a CPA, there are much more things to learn like building
your own team and having a rapport within it. Another aspect of going beyond is installing into
ones heart, the Benedictine values. What I truly admire with Mr. Diga is his humility. Despite of
all the success he has achieved, he is very humble, approachable, and kind-hearted. And I hope to
become like him one day. Thats all. Thank you.

Joshua de Jesus:

I will never forget this interview with Mr.Diga because , for me, he is a true role model for the
value of humility.

He was very accommodating and friendly to us especially giving his time and effort in a simple
interview and sharing his knowledge in the field of Financial management as other fields such as
(initiating in ) business , investing and others. He was very humble. No matter how successful he
is , he kept his foot in the ground . He never talked about himself or his success no matter how
successful he is today as we all know except in the where I asked him (about) what made him the
person he is today. Of course , he answered but jokingly. I was touched when answered Dr.Alajar
and San Beda College was a huge attribute to his success. Thats all and I hope someday and one
day I that may follow his footsteps. Mr. Joselito Diga , a true Bedan Accountant.

Charliemagne Palay:

One thing I have learned with the interview with Mr. Diga, is to continue to learn for this will lead
us to success. We must be problem solvers. And to be a problem-solver, is to have a high-level of
thinking. Time will come that we are going to be leaders. We must learn how to go beyond our
limits, and break stereotypes.

Angelica Acoba:

If theres one thing that I will not forget in this interview, it would be that when Mr. Diga
emphasized that the greatest achievement that a person can achieve in his entire life, is the
development o himself. That learning doesnt stop after college, as learning is a life-long process
which widens as you go through different experiences. And lastly, one must not just learn by
himself, or individually, but rather be of help on a team, which also, will help you in return.