The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Employees Association, Inc. (BSPEAI) brought its community outreach initiative Project Shoebox Plus to Bata Elementary School 1 here on October 24, distributing school bags and learning materials to 100 students.
BSP Deputy Governor Elmore O. Capule joined the activity, personally handing over materials and encouraging the pupils. “Dream, strive to achieve your dreams, give your best, always be grateful, and be kind to one another,” he told the children. Parents and teachers also took part in the gathering, which included a special session on money management, saving, and budgeting.
First launched in 2015 as Project Shoebox, the program began as a simple drive inviting BSP employees to donate shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene kits, small gifts, and personal notes for children in need. Having grown over the years, it was rebranded Project Shoebox Plus in 2025 to include financial literacy training alongside material donations—recognizing that both resources and knowledge help young people build better lives. To date, the project has supported more than 40,000 students across the country.
“BSP employees are committed to this bayanihan spirit, working together to provide the tools and knowledge that will help more students build a brighter future,” said BSPEAI President Brent S. Lucero. The expanded program reflects the central bank’s broader goal of helping communities develop good financial habits early, while ensuring children have what they need to stay in school and pursue their dreams.
