The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) continues to advance financial inclusion by strengthening financial literacy, particularly among underserved communities.
Through its social development arm, BPI Foundation (BPIF), and Ayala Group’s renewable energy company ACEN, BPI will bring financial education programs to communities near ACEN’s project sites across Real, Quezon; Pakil, Pangil, and Paete, Laguna; and San Marcelino, Subic, Castillejos, Palauig, Iba and Botolan, Zambales.
The program aims to reach 3,000 direct beneficiaries across communities.
The initiative will be implemented through BPI’s flagship financial education program, FinEd Unboxed, which equips participants with essential financial knowledge through structured and practical learning modules covering saving, budgeting, credit management, investing, insurance, retirement planning, and fraud prevention. The program combines capacity-building sessions with interactive learning tools, including the Breakthrough App, a digital financial education platform that enables participants to apply key money management concepts in real-life scenarios. The program will also focus on empowering local community leaders to become effective financial literacy advocates who can cascade financial knowledge within their communities.
This program aims to address gaps in financial literacy and resilience among Filipino adults. While financial knowledge is improving—with 74% of adults correctly answering basic financial questions in 2025, up from 69% in 2021—challenges remain. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that only 43% report being satisfied with their financial situation, and just three in ten have enough savings to withstand financial shocks, underscoring the continued need for accessible and practical financial education.
“At BPI Foundation, we believe that financial education is not a privilege—it is a foundation for opportunity and progress,” said Carmina Marquez, BPIF Executive Director. “Through our collaboration with ACEN, we are expanding access to financial literacy in communities that need it most, empowering more Filipinos to build better financial habits, pursue their aspirations, and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient Philippines.”
In 2025, BPIF’s financial education initiatives reached 3.3 million Filipinos in local communities nationwide, including financial literacy sessions with ACEN that equipped 334 participants from Laguna, Quezon and Zambales with practical knowledge on saving.
Beneficiaries were also provided with practical knowledge about insurance, debt management, investing, and protecting themselves from scams and fraud. Facilitated by BPI employee volunteers, the sessions provided participants with essential tools to make informed financial decisions and build a more secure financial future.
“As we expand renewable energy projects across the country, we recognize that creating positive impact goes beyond providing clean power. It also means helping build resilient and empowered communities around our project sites,” said Gabby Mejia, ACEN Executive Director. “Through this partnership with BPI Foundation, we are equipping families and community leaders with practical financial skills that can help them better manage their resources, prepare for future opportunities, and strengthen their long-term economic well-being. We see financial literacy as an important complement to our efforts to deliver sustainable development in the communities we serve.”
BPIF and ACEN’s partnership highlights the strong synergy within the Ayala Group in advancing sustainability goals and reaching underserved and indigenous communities.
To learn more about BPIF’s programs, visit www.bpifoundation.org or follow BPI Foundation on Facebook (@BPIFoundation) and Instagram (@bpifoundationinc).