San Miguel Corporation – Annual report – 31 December 2021
Industry: conglomerate
3. Significant Accounting Policies (extract)
Intangible Assets (extract)
Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of an intangible asset acquired in a business combination is its fair value at the date of acquisition. Subsequently, intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. Internally generated intangible assets, excluding capitalized development costs, are not capitalized and expenditures are recognized in the consolidated statements of income in the year in which the related expenditures are incurred.
The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be either finite or indefinite.
Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over the useful life and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible assets may be impaired. The amortization period and the amortization method used for an intangible asset with a finite useful life are reviewed at least at each reporting date. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for by changing the amortization period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting estimate. The amortization expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognized in the consolidated statements of income consistent with the function of the intangible asset.
Except for mineral rights and evaluation asset which is amortized using UOP method, amortization of other intangible assets with finite lives is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Number of Years
Toll road concession rights 28 – 36
Airport concession rights 25 – 50
Power concession right 25
Water concession right 30
Computer software and licenses 2 – 10
The Group assessed the useful lives of licenses and trademarks and brand names to be indefinite. Based on an analysis of all the relevant factors, there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the assets are expected to generate cash inflows for the Group.
Licenses and trademarks and brand names with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment annually, either individually or at the cash-generating unit level. Such intangibles are not amortized. The useful life of an intangible asset with an indefinite life is reviewed annually to determine whether indefinite life assessment continues to be supportable. If not, the change in the useful life assessment from indefinite to finite is made on a prospective basis.
Gains or losses arising from the disposal of an intangible asset are measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, and are recognized in the consolidated statements of income when the asset is derecognized.
Service Concession Arrangements
Public-to-private service concession arrangements where: (a) the grantor controls or regulates what services the entities in the Group can provide with the infrastructure, to whom it can provide them, and at what price; and (b) the grantor controls (through ownership, beneficial entitlement or otherwise) any significant residual interest in the infrastructure at the end of the term of the arrangement are accounted for under Philippine Interpretation IFRIC 12, Service Concession Arrangements. Infrastructures used in a public-to-private service concession arrangement for its entire useful life (whole-of-life assets) are within the scope of the Interpretation if the conditions in (a) are met.
The Interpretation applies to both: (i) infrastructure that the entities in the Group construct or acquire from a third party for the purpose of the service arrangement; and (ii) existing infrastructure to which the grantor gives the entities in the Group access for the purpose of the service arrangement.
Infrastructures within the scope of the Interpretation are not recognized as property, plant and equipment of the Group. Under the terms of the contractual arrangements within the scope of the Interpretation, an entity acts as a service provider. An entity constructs or upgrades infrastructure (construction or upgrade services) used to provide a public service and operates and maintains that infrastructure (operation services) for a specified period of time.
An entity recognizes a financial asset to the extent that it has an unconditional contractual right to receive cash or another financial asset from or at the direction of the grantor for the construction services. An entity recognizes an intangible asset to the extent that it receives a right (a license) to charge users of the public service.
When the applicable entity has contractual obligations to fulfill as a condition of its license: (i) to maintain the infrastructure to a specified level of serviceability; or (ii) to restore the infrastructure to a specified condition before it is handed over to the grantor at the end of the service arrangement, it recognizes and measures the contractual obligations in accordance with PAS 37, i.e., at the best estimate of the expenditure that would be required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date.
In accordance with PAS 23, Borrowing Costs, borrowing costs attributable to the arrangement are recognized as expenses in the period in which they are incurred unless the applicable entities have a contractual right to receive an intangible asset (a right to charge users of the public service). In this case, borrowing costs attributable to the arrangement are capitalized during the construction phase of the arrangement.
The following are the concession rights covered by the service concession arrangements entered into by the Group:
- Airport Concession Rights
Boracay Airport. The airport concession right pertains to the right granted by the Republic of the Philippines (ROP) to TADHC: (i) to operate the Caticlan Airport (the Airport Project or the Boracay Airport); (ii) to design and finance the Airport Projects; and (iii) to operate and maintain the Airport Projects during the concession period. This also includes the present value of the annual franchise fee, as defined in the Concession Agreement, payable to the ROP over the concession period of 25 years. Except for the portion that relates to the annual franchise fee, which is recognized immediately as intangible asset, the right is earned and recognized by the Group as the project progresses (Note 4).
The airport concession right is carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any impairment in value. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the remaining concession periods and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired.
The airport concession right is derecognized on disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gain or loss from derecognition of the airport concession rights are measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, and is recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
Manila International Airport. The airport concession right pertains to the right granted by the ROP to SMAI: (i) to operate; (ii) to design and finance; and (iii) to operate and maintain the Manila International Airport during the concession period.
The airport concession right represents the design and construction costs incurred to obtain the right during the construction period. It is carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any impairment in value. Subsequent expenditures or replacement of parts of it, are normally recognized in profit or loss as these are incurred to maintain the expected future economic benefits embodied in the airport concession right unless it can be demonstrated that the expenditures will contribute to the increase in revenue from airport and toll operations which meet the definition of an intangible asset (Note 4).
The airport concession right will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the period stated in the Concession Agreement which is approximately 50 years from issuance of the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the First Phase of the Project, and will be assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortization period and method are reviewed at least at each reporting year-end or more frequently when an indication of impairment arises during the reporting year. Changes in the term of the contract or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset is accounted for by changing the amortization period and method, as appropriate, and treated as changes in accounting estimates.
The airport concession right will be derecognized upon turnover to the ROP. There will be no gain or loss upon derecognition as the concession right which is expected to be fully amortized by then and will be handed over to the ROP with no consideration.
- Toll Road Concession Rights. The Group’s toll road concession rights represent the costs of construction and development, including borrowing costs, if any, during the construction period of the following projects:
- South Luzon Expressway (SLEX);
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway;
- Metro Manila Skyway (Skyway);
- Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway (TPLEX);
- Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR); and
- North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) – SLEX Link (Skyway Stage 3).
In exchange for the fulfillment of the Group’s obligations under the Concession Agreement, the Group is given the right to operate the toll road facilities over the concession period. Toll road concession rights are recognized initially at the fair value of the construction services. Following initial recognition, the toll road concession rights are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any impairment losses. Subsequent expenditures or replacement of parts of it are normally recognized in the consolidated statements of income as these are incurred to maintain the expected future economic benefits embodied in the toll road concession rights. Expenditures that will contribute to the increase in revenue from toll operations are recognized as an intangible asset.
The toll road concession rights are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the Concession Agreement. The toll road concession rights are assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the toll road concession rights may be impaired.
The toll road concession rights will be derecognized upon turnover to the ROP. There will be no gain or loss upon derecognition of the toll road concession rights as these are expected to be fully amortized upon turnover to the ROP.
- Water Concession Right. The Group’s water concession right pertains to the right granted by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to LCWDC as the concessionaire of the supply of treated bulk water, planning, financing, development, design, engineering, and construction of facilities including the management, operation and maintenance in order to alleviate the chronic water shortage and provide potable water needs of the Province of Bulacan. The Concession Agreement is for a period of 30 years and may be extended for up to 50 years. The Group’s water concession right represents the upfront fee, cost of design, construction and development of the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project. The service concession right is not yet amortized until the construction is completed.
The carrying amount of the water concession right is reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently when an indication of impairment arises during the reporting year.
The water concession right will be derecognized upon turnover to MWSS. There will be no gain or loss upon derecognition of the water concession right, as this is expected to be fully amortized upon turnover to MWSS.
- Power Concession Right. The Group’s power concession right pertains to the right granted by the ROP to SMC Global, through APEC, to operate and maintain the franchise of Albay Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ALECO). On January 24, 2014, SMC Global and APEC entered into an Assignment Agreement whereby APEC assumed all the rights, interests and obligations under the Concession Agreement effective January 2, 2014. The power concession right is carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.
The power concession right is amortized using the straight-line method over the concession period which is 25 years and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired.
The power concession right is derecognized on disposal or when no further economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gain or loss from derecognition of the power concession right is measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, and is recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
- Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT 7 Project). The Group’s capitalized project costs incurred for the MRT 7 Project is recognized as a financial asset as it does not convey to the Group the right to control the use of the public service infrastructure but only an unconditional contractual right to receive cash or another financial asset from or at the direction of the grantor for the construction services.
The Group can finance, design, test, commission, construct and operate and maintain the MRT 7 Project on behalf of the ROP in accordance with the terms specified in the Concession Agreement.
As payment, the ROP shall pay fixed amortization payment on a semi-annual basis in accordance with the scheduled payment described in the Concession Agreement (Note 34).
The amortization period and method are reviewed at least at each reporting date. Changes in the terms of the Concession Agreement or the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for by changing the amortization period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortization expense is recognized in the consolidated statements of income in the expense category consistent with the function of the intangible asset.
Revenue (extract 1)
The Group recognizes revenue from contracts with customers when control of the goods or services are transferred to the customer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties.
The transfer of control can occur over time or at a point in time. Revenue is recognized at a point in time unless one of the following criteria is met, in which case it is recognized over time: (a) the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Group performs its obligations; (b) the Group’s performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced; or (c) the Group’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Group and the Group has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date.
The Group assesses its revenue arrangements to determine if it is acting as principal or agent. The Group has concluded that it acts as a principal as it controls the goods or services before transferring to the customer.
Revenue (extract 2)
Revenue from Service Concession Arrangements
Revenue from toll operations is recognized upon the use by the road users of the toll road and is paid by way of cash or charge against Radio Frequency Identification account. Toll fees are set and regulated by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
Landing, take-off and parking fees are recognized as the services are rendered over time which is the period from landing up to take-off of aircrafts.
Terminal fees are recognized upon receipt of fees charged to passengers for the use of airport and port terminals.
Revenue from port cargo handling and ancillary services is recognized as the services are rendered over time based on the quantity of items handled during the period multiplied by a predetermined rate.
Revenue from construction contracts is recognized over time based on the percentage of completion, measured by reference to the proportion of costs incurred to date to estimated total costs for each contract.
4. Use of Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions (extract)
Judgments (extract)
Applicability of Philippine Interpretation IFRIC 12. In accounting for the Group’s transactions in connection with its Concession Agreement with the ROP, significant judgment was applied to determine the most appropriate accounting policy to use.
Management used Philippine Interpretation IFRIC 12 as guide and determined that the Concession Agreement is within the scope of the interpretation since it specifically indicated that the ROP will regulate what services the Group must provide, at what prices these services will be offered, and that at the end of the concession period, the entire infrastructure, as defined in the Concession Agreement, will be turned over to the ROP (Note 34).
Management determined that the consideration receivable from the ROP, in exchange for the fulfillment of the Group’s obligations under the Concession Agreement, may either be an intangible asset in the form of a right (license) to charge fees to users or financial asset in the form of an unconditional right to receive cash or another financial asset. Judgment was further exercised by management in determining the cost components of acquiring the right. Further reference to the terms of the Concession Agreement (Note 34) was made to determine such costs.
a. Airport Concession Rights
Boracay Airport. The airport concession right consists of: (i) Airport Project cost; (ii) present value of infrastructure retirement obligation (IRO); and (iii) present value of total franchise fees over 25 years and its subsequent amortization.
(i) The Airport Project cost is recognized as part of intangible assets as the construction progresses. The cost-to-cost method was used as management believes that the actual cost of construction is most relevant in determining the amount that should be recognized as cost of the intangible asset at each reporting date as opposed to cost plus and other methods of percentage-of-completion.
(ii) The present value of the IRO is recorded under construction in progress (CIP) – airport concession arrangements and transferred to the related intangible assets upon completion of the Airport Project and to be amortized simultaneously with the cost related to the Airport Project because only at that time will significant maintenance of the Boracay Airport would commence.
(iii) The present value of the obligation to pay annual franchise fees over 25 years has been immediately recognized as part of intangible assets because the right related to it has already been granted and is already being enjoyed by the Group as evidenced by its taking over the operations of the Boracay Airport during the last quarter of 2010. Consequently, management has started amortizing the related value of the intangible asset and the corresponding obligation has likewise been recognized.
Manila International Airport. The airport concession right consists of the pre-design costs, consultancy fees and other directly attributable costs incurred in the development of the project.
b. Toll Road Concession Rights. The Group’s toll road concession rights represent the costs of construction and development, including borrowing costs, if any, during the construction period of the following projects: (i) SLEX; (ii) NAIA Expressway; (iii) Skyway; (iv) TPLEX; (v) STAR; and (vi) Skyway Stage 3.
Pursuant to the Concession Agreements, any stage or phase or ancillary facilities thereof, of a fixed and permanent nature, shall be owned by the ROP.
c. Water Concession Right. The Group’s water concession right represents the right to collect charges from water service providers and third party purchasers availing of a public service, grant control or regulate the price and transfer significant residual interest of the water treatment facilities at the end of the Concession Agreement.
d. Power Concession Right. The Group’s power concession right represents the right to operate and maintain the franchise of ALECO; i.e., the right to collect electricity fees from the consumers of ALECO. At the end of the concession period, all assets and improvements shall be returned to ALECO and any additions and improvements to the system shall be transferred to ALECO.
e. MRT 7 Project. The Concession Agreement related to the MRT 7 Project does not convey to the Group the right to control the use of the public service infrastructure but only an unconditional contractual right to receive cash or another financial asset from or at the direction of the grantor for the construction services. Management determined that the consideration receivable from the ROP, in exchange for the fulfillment of the obligation under the Concession Agreement, is a financial asset in the form of an unconditional right to receive cash or another financial asset.
Difference in judgment in respect to the accounting treatment of the transactions would materially affect the assets, liabilities and operating results of the Group.
Recognition of Profit Margin on the Airport and Toll Road Concession Arrangements. The Group has not recognized any profit margin on the construction of the airport and toll road projects as it believes that the fair value of the intangible asset reasonably approximates the cost. The Group also believes that the profit margin of its contractors on the rehabilitation of the existing airport and its subsequent upgrade is enough to cover any difference between the fair value and the carrying amount of the intangible asset.
Estimates and Assumptions (extract)
Estimated Useful Lives of Intangible Assets – Concession Rights. The Group estimates the useful lives of airport, toll road, port, power and water concession rights based on the period over which the assets are expected to be available for use. The Group has not included any renewal period on the basis of uncertainty of the probability of securing renewal contract at the end of the original contract term as at the reporting date.
The amortization period and method are reviewed when there are changes in the expected term of the contract or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset.
The combined carrying amounts of toll road, airport, power and water concession rights amounted to P178,833 and P158,919 as at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively (Note 17).
Present Value of Annual Franchise Fee and IRO – Airport Concession Arrangement. Portion of the amount recognized as airport concession right as at December 31, 2021 and 2020 pertains to the present value of the annual franchise fee payable to the ROP over the concession period. The recognition of the present value of the IRO is temporarily lodged in CIP – airport concession arrangements until the completion of the Airport Project.
The present values of the annual franchise fee and IRO were determined based on the future value of the obligations discounted at the Group’s internal borrowing rate which is believed to be a reasonable approximation of the applicable credit-adjusted risk-free market borrowing rate.
A significant change in such internal borrowing rate used in discounting the estimated cost would result in a significant change in the amount of liabilities recognized with a corresponding effect in profit or loss.
The present value of the annual franchise fees payable to the ROP over 25 years discounted using the 8% internal borrowing rates in 2021 and 2020, included as part of “Airport concession right” under “Other intangible assets – net” account amounted to P57 and P59 as at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively (Note 17).
The cost of infrastructure maintenance and restoration represents the present value of TADHC’s IRO recognized and is presented as part of IRO under “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” and “Other noncurrent liabilities” accounts amounting to P16 and P74 in 2021 and P13 and P74 in 2020, respectively (Notes 20 and 22).
Percentage-of-Completion – Airport and Toll Road Concession Arrangements. The Group determines the percentage-of-completion of the contract by computing the proportion of actual contract costs incurred to date, to the latest estimated total airport and toll road project cost. The Group reviews and revises, when necessary, the estimate of airport and toll road project cost as it progresses, to appropriately adjust the amount of construction cost and revenue recognized at the end of each reporting period. Construction revenue and construction costs, reported as part of “Other income (charges) – net” account in the consolidated statements of income, amounted to P29,769, P22,747 and P25,386 as at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively (Note 32).
Accrual for Repairs and Maintenance – Toll Road Concession Arrangements. The Group recognizes accruals for repairs and maintenance based on estimates of periodic costs, generally estimated to be every 5 to 12 years as at December 31, 2021 and 2020, or the expected period to restore the toll road facilities to a level of serviceability and to maintain its good condition before the turnover to the ROP. This is based on the best estimate of management to be the amount expected to be incurred to settle the obligation, discounted using a pre-tax rate, ranging from 1.66% to 4.88% and 1.7% to 3.97% as at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, that reflects the current market assessment of the time value of money.
The accrual for repairs and maintenance, included as part of “IRO” under “Other noncurrent liabilities” account in the consolidated statements of financial position, amounted to P698 and P656 as at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively (Note 22).
The current portion included as part of “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” account amounted to P419 and P412 as at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively (Note 20).
17. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (extract)
The movements in other intangible assets with finite useful lives are as follows:
Accounts examples 