The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) says financial health will be a major focus when the Philippines chairs ASEAN in 2026. BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. announced the plan during a fireside chat at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland, on 11 November 2025.
The discussion featured Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health; BIS General Manager Pablo Hernández de Cos; and IOSCO and Belgium FSMA Chairman Jean-Paul Servais.
Remolona said ASEAN should boost financial health by widening access to financial markets such as stocks, bonds, and insurance. Financial health generally means individuals can manage expenses, handle financial shocks, pursue goals, and feel confident about their financial situation.
While in Basel, Remolona also met separately with Queen Máxima to explore potential regional initiatives the Philippines could advance during its ASEAN chairmanship.
