More than 1,000 students took part in an onboarding event for the Youth Financial Inclusion Initiative held on 20 August 2026 at Southern Leyte State University in Sogod, Southern Leyte, where 528 transaction accounts were successfully opened. Led by Visayas-based Youth Financial Inclusion Ambassadors in collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, this marked the second account-opening drive in the region under the Youth Financial Inclusion Ambassadors Program, building on the inaugural August 2025 activity that registered 551 new accounts at the same institution.
The Youth Financial Inclusion Ambassadors are student leaders from colleges and universities who advocate for wider financial inclusion within their communities. Guided by the BSP, they design and carry out initiatives ranging from account onboarding to financial literacy workshops, bridging institutional efforts with peer-level outreach. During the event, participating financial institutions assisted students in securing transaction accounts—a critical first entry point to essential financial services including payments, savings, credit, insurance, and investment products. BSP representatives underscored that combining access to these services with strong financial literacy empowers young Filipinos to make sound decisions and strengthen their long-term financial well-being.
This drive forms part of the broader agenda of the Financial Inclusion Steering Committee, chaired by the BSP, and aligns directly with the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022–2028. By prioritizing youth as a key underserved group, the initiative advances national policy goals to expand financial access and capability across the country. The event received support from the Department of Information and Communications Technology and various financial service providers, reflecting coordinated action across public and private sectors. The BSP reaffirmed its commitment to multi-stakeholder collaboration, working to ensure Filipinos not only gain entry to the formal financial system but also develop the knowledge and habits to build lasting financial health.
