Financial education policy launched at Fin Ed Expo

Bangko ng Sentral Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno (center), DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla (left), and NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon (right) take a group photo with over 1,000 participants at the 2nd Financial Education Stakeholders Expo on 25 November 2019 in SMX Convention Center Manila.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno, together with National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon, with the Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla graced the opening ceremonies of the 2nd Financial Education Stakeholders Expo on 25 November 2019 in SMX Manila.

The Expo gathered more than 1,000 stakeholders and advocates from the public, private, academic and civic sectors to undertake financial learning sessions and activities, share updates on their financial education initiatives, understand the challenges, find solutions and explore partnerships.

The opening ceremonies was highlighted by the milestone launch of the DepEd Financial Education Integration Policy and Roadmap, which sets guidelines for efficient and effective integration of financial education concepts, aligned with appropriate learning competencies in learning areas across all grade levels, within the K to 12 Curriculum.

The launch of the DepEd Financial Integration Policy and Roadmap was announced by DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla (third from left) and witnessed by (from left) BDO Foundation President Mario A. Deriquito, NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon, BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier, BSP Managing Director Rosalinda S. Dumaliang, BSP Managing Director Pia Bernadette Roman Tayag, and ADB Senior Financial Sector Specialist Kelly Hattel during the 2nd Financial Education Stakeholders Expo on 25 November 2019 at SMX Convention Center Manila.

It also articulates DepEd’s intent to capacitate teachers on two levels: as educators teaching financial education concepts and as individuals managing their own personal finances. Full implementation of this Policy and Roadmap will ensure that wise financial decision making is imbibed and practiced by more than 800,000 DepEd personnel, 29 million learners, and every child who goes through the basic education system in the future.

DepEd Undersecretary Sevilla underscored that the inclusion of financial education in the school curriculum is a long-term investment in future generations of human capital, enabling Filipino youth to achieve a better, brighter financial future.

Governor Diokno, in his keynote shared that the BSP-DepEd partnership, among other BSP partnerships, truly aims to equip Filipinos with the ability to understand, select and prudently use financial services to achieve financial health.

NEDA Undersecretary Edillon further encouraged all key stakeholders to work together in order to promote economic and financial literacy, and to have venues like the Expo where people share the same passion and vision for building a progressive nation.

The Expo is the BSP’s flagship program for financial education. It is organized annually, in line with the celebration of the Economic and Financial Learning Week as mandated under Republic Act No. 10922 and supports the development objectives of Ambisyon Natin 2040.