To help vendors, drivers, seniors, and other sectors in Pasig City strengthen their financial skills and guard against scams, the city government launched a financial education program through a newly signed partnership.

Mayor Vico Sotto emphasized the importance of collective efforts to improve financial literacy among city residents.

“Kailangang magtrabaho tayong lahat para mapataas ang lebel ng financial literacy sa ating lunsod, sa ating bayan, dahil marami sa mga problema natin, pwede namang ma-solusyunan kung sana mas marunong tayo mag-manage, maghawak ng pera natin (We all need to work together to raise the level of financial literacy in our city and our community, because many of our problems can be solved if we are more knowledgeable in managing and handling our money),” he said.

The program will reach a wide range of sectors, including micro-entrepreneurs, students, teachers, jeepney and tricycle drivers, cooperatives, market vendors, relocated families, homeowners’ associations, solo parents, senior citizens, and the youth.

BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said their call is simple: to bring financial education closer to the public and ensure that financial services are accessible, safe, and truly useful, so that no Filipino is left behind.

Under the program, the BSP and BDOF will train local financial education advocates who will serve as instructors in the city's training programs.

The BSP will also provide technical input and reference materials to support the development and implementation of the program. It will also conduct direct financial education sessions for the project’s beneficiaries.

“Through this collaboration, we hope to give practical knowledge and tools that can truly be applied and make a difference in people’s everyday lives,” said BDO Foundation President Mario Deriquito.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda also noted the advantages of using digital payments, saying that services become faster, more transparent, and more beneficial for everyone.

The BSP said that the partnership forms part of its continuing efforts to champion financial education through collaborations with local government units and the private sector, helping build financially empowered communities.

Meanwhile, some netizens expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of financial education and suggesting that basic financial literacy be integrated into the school curriculum.

Some residents also expressed gratitude to the mayor, saying that good governance in the local government helps build trust among both public and private institutions, leading to more opportunities that benefit constituents.

“When government is trusted by private organizations, opportunities naturally flow to its constituents,” one netizen commented.

“Kapag mapagkakatiwalaan ang lider madami gusto sumuporta dahil alam kung saan napupunta ang pondo ng bayan. Good job Mayor Vico Sotto (When a leader is trustworthy, more people are willing to support because they know where public funds are going),” another said.

“Galing this really need student pa lang para pag sumabak na sa tunay na buhay.. kaya na nila mag manage ng finance nila (This is really needed for students so that when they enter real life, they will already know how to manage their finances),” another added.