Over 50 fisherfolk representing all six municipalities of Batanes have completed the Fish N’ LEarn financial education program, acquiring practical skills in budgeting, savings, debt management, insurance, and financial planning through a joint initiative of BDO Foundation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The training focused on core financial and micro-entrepreneurship concepts using real-life scenarios tailored to fishing communities. Participants applied lessons through a specialized game kit that simulated earning, borrowing, selling, and buying, turning abstract financial ideas into hands-on practice. A separate training of trainers was also held for staff from municipal agriculture offices, equipping them to expand the program to more fisherfolk across the province.
Beyond education, the program opened direct access to formal financial services. On the first day of the sessions, representatives from Batanes’ three banking institutions helped participants open bank accounts, letting them put budgeting and savings lessons into practice right away.
Ramil Gonzales, one of the participants, shared how the training changed his outlook. “I learned that we need to explore other livelihoods, practice saving regularly, avoid unnecessary debt, set aside funds through trusted savings groups, and stay vigilant against scams,” he said.
Officials from the Batanes provincial government, all six municipal governments, BSP, BFAR, and BDO Foundation joined the activity, reflecting shared commitment to boosting financial capability in underserved areas. The program forms part of broader national efforts to advance financial inclusion by reaching communities with limited access to formal banking and financial guidance.
In his remarks, BDO Foundation president Mario A. Deriquito emphasized the value of financial literacy for family security. “This training centers on a vital lesson: how to make every hard-earned peso work better for your and your family’s future plans. Managing money is just like fishing—it requires careful preparation and constant care,” he said.
By integrating practical education with immediate access to formal accounts, Fish N’ LEarn bridges the gap between knowledge and action, empowering fisherfolk to build reserves, prepare for emergencies, and plan with greater confidence.
