BSP leads discussion on financial literacy, innovation at two-day forum
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and its partners gathered at the Philippine International Convention Center recently for the two-day Financial Education (Fin-Ed) Stakeholders Congress. The forum aimed to explore the role of digital technology in improving financial literacy among Filipinos, empowering them to make informed decisions about savings, investments, and retirement planning.
With the theme, “BSP and Partners: From Financial Education to Economic Empowerment for Sustainable Growth,” the event highlighted the launch of the BSP E-Learning Academy (BELA), a new online platform offering free personal finance courses. While BELA was soft-launched in August 2024, it will become publicly accessible in 2025. BSP deputy governor Berna Romulo-Puyat emphasized that embracing technology allows financial education tools to reach underserved sectors, including students, teachers, farmers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and micro-businesses.
“Financial education gains momentum when we embrace technology, making lessons and tools more accessible and ensuring they reach people wherever they are,” Puyat said. BELA, she added, will allow Filipinos to access valuable financial skills at their convenience.
The congress also focused on innovations in financial education, including the use of augmented and virtual reality, as well as artificial intelligence. The event featured the introduction of new learning materials for out-of-school youth, civil servants, and first responders, alongside a strengthened partnership between BSP and the Department of Education (DepEd) to promote financial literacy among K-12 students and teachers nationwide.
The second day of the forum brought together members of the academe and the workforce for discussions on how financial education can foster economic resilience and a stronger Philippine economy. Sessions covered topics such as the impact of financial education on personal welfare, the role of financial choices in shaping the economy, and the importance of regulatory oversight in protecting financial transactions.
This year’s Fin-Ed Congress is part of the annual observance of Economic and Financial Literacy Week, as mandated by Republic Act No. 10922. For those unable to attend in person, sessions were streamed live on the BSP’s Facebook pages.
The event underscores the growing importance of digital tools in advancing financial education, a key factor in helping Filipinos build financial independence and resilience for a more secure future.
