The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through its foundation arm, is advancing financial inclusion by rolling out financial education initiatives in communities near ACEN’s renewable energy project sites. The partnership covers areas in Quezon, Laguna, and Zambales provinces, targeting around 3,000 direct beneficiaries.
Using BPI’s flagship program FinEd Unboxed, participants will learn key topics including budgeting, saving, credit management, investing, insurance, retirement planning, and fraud prevention. The program uses structured learning modules and the digital Breakthrough App to apply financial concepts in real situations. It also trains local community leaders to act as advocates and share knowledge within their areas.
Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shows that while financial literacy levels have improved—74 percent of adults answered basic financial questions correctly in 2025, up from 69 percent in 2021—challenges remain. Only 43 percent of Filipinos report being satisfied with their financial status, and just 30 percent have sufficient savings to handle financial emergencies.
Carmina Marquez, executive director of BPI Foundation, stated: “Financial education is not a privilege—it is a foundation for opportunity and progress.” Meanwhile, Gabby Mejia, executive director of ACEN, noted that this effort complements renewable energy work by building sustainable and resilient communities beyond infrastructure development.
In 2025 alone, BPI Foundation’s financial education programs reached 3.3 million Filipinos nationwide, including over 300 participants from the regions covered by this new initiative.
