Financial Education Empowers Pasigueños to Build Stronger Economic Futures

Financial knowledge is becoming an important part of livelihood development in Pasig City as a new initiative seeks to help vulnerable residents turn financial assistance and skills training into more sustainable sources of income.

BDO Foundation and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in partnership with the City Government of Pasig, are expanding financial education among relocated families, micro-entrepreneurs, persons recovering from drug use, solo parents, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and other community sectors.

The initiative complements the city’s livelihood and social reintegration programs by teaching beneficiaries practical ways to manage money, make informed financial decisions, and sustain small businesses. It is also aligned with the BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion.

Zenaida Concepcion, officer-in-charge of the Pasig City Anti-Drug Abuse Office, emphasized that livelihood training alone may not be enough to ensure long-term economic stability.

“After completing livelihood and skills training, they also need to understand how to manage and sustain a business,” Concepcion said. She added that while financial assistance is available through the local government, financial education can help beneficiaries make better decisions and improve their quality of life.

BDO Foundation President Mario A. Deriquito highlighted the wider impact of providing communities with financial knowledge.

“Empowering people with financial knowledge contributes not only to stronger families but also to broader national development goals of reducing poverty, promoting decent work, and building inclusive and sustainable societies,” Deriquito said.

Through the program, participants can develop healthier financial habits and learn how to better handle income, expenses, savings, and livelihood resources.

The Pasig initiative is part of BDO Foundation’s continuing financial education advocacy with the BSP and public and private sector partners. By bringing financial literacy closer to communities, the partnership aims to give more Filipinos practical tools for protecting their livelihoods, strengthening household finances, and working toward greater financial security.