The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and BDO Foundation have strengthened their investor protection and financial literacy initiatives with the launch of informational materials that aim to educate the public against financial investment scams.

The SEC and BDO Foundation launched two investor protection videos tackling the red flags of potential investment scams, equipping the public with the knowledge that will help them avoid engagement with fraudulent schemes.

The materials will be disseminated and shown in programs, trainings, or seminars organized by the SEC and the BDO Foundation. They are also available on the Commission’s social media accounts.

“Here at the SEC, it has always been our goal to ensure the protection of the investing public from fraudulent activities. We have seen the detrimental effects of these illicit activities not only on an individual level but, more importantly, on a societal level,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said.

He noted that, “But we know that the SEC cannot do everything on its own. This is why we are thankful that we have the likes of BDO Foundation as our partners in promoting investor education among the public.”

The launch of the investor protection videos is anchored on the partnership between the SEC and the BDO Foundation which began in 2023 when the BDO Foundation joined the SEC Capital Markets Promotion and Awareness Inter-Agency (SEC CAMPAIGN Network).

The SEC CAMPAIGN Network is a crucial component of the SEC Communication, Advocacy, Network (SEC CAN!) initiative, the Commission’s flagship investor education program, that aims to establish partnerships with public and private organizations to widen the reach of its financial literacy efforts.

"One of BDO Foundation’s core programs is financial education. This is rooted in our belief that Filipinos should be given the opportunity to acquire the needed knowledge, skills, values, and tools to manage their personal resources, to maximize the benefits of their earnings, and to build a better future for themselves and their loved ones," BDO Foundation President Mario A. Derequito said.

He added that, "We also believe investor protection is an important aspect of financial education, and by embarking on this, we will be able to better serve sectors that we are already serving, particularly teachers, OFWs and their families, civil servants, and MSMEs, sectors which also comprise part of SEC’s target audience."