THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has partnered with the Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. (MCPI) and the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines Inc. (RBAP) to broaden financial education initiatives for low-income families across the country.
The new financial education programs were officially launched on May 22, 2025, at the BSP head office.
In a statement sent, BSP Gov. Eli M. Remolona Jr. emphasized the importance of wider public engagement, saying, “Traditionally, central banks have prioritized communication with markets, but broader public engagement is just as essential.”
He underscored that financial education helps people better understand policies and make informed finan-
cial decisions.
Deputy Gov. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat highlighted the goal of integrating financial education into everyday life.
“Whether you’re a microentrepreneur managing a business, a rural banker advising a farmer, or a learner gaining new skills, financial literacy should be useful, relatable and rooted in real-life decisions,” she said.
MCPI chairperson Gilbert Maramba noted the partnership’s role in strengthening financial education programs within microfinance institutions (MFIs), which he believes will enable them to serve clients more effectively and help increase incomes faster.
RBAP president Jose Paolo Palileo added that the initiative aims to enhance financial literacy in rural communities by training rural bank personnel, who will then cascade these learnings to their clients.
The BSP, MCPI and RBAP are leveraging their collective expertise to train MFIs and rural bankers in conducting financial learning sessions.
MCPI is a network supporting entrepreneurs through accessible financial services, while RBAP is a national association of rural banks providing credit to various stakeholders in rural areas.
In addition to these partnerships, the BSP has also launched new financial education modules co-developed with BDO Foundation. These modules cover topics such as investment, fraud and scam prevention, financial consumer protection, digital financial literacy, the Personal Equity and Retirement Account, and the BSP’s role in the economy.
These resources are accessible through the BSP E-Learning Academy and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority e-learning platform, complementing face-to-face financial educa-
tion programs. / KOC