BPI and DLSU strengthen push for financial literacy in Laguna

INSIDER SPOTLIGHT

• BPI Foundation and De La Salle University partner to strengthen financial education in Laguna
• Program to train educators, student leaders, SK officials, and community partners
• Initiative aims to build long-term financial capability across schools and local communities
  
  

Bank of the Philippine Islands, through BPI Foundation (BPIF), has sealed a new partnership with De La Salle University aimed at sharpening financial literacy skills across Laguna, strengthening the region’s capacity to build financially empowered communities.

Why it matters

Financial literacy gaps remain a major barrier to economic mobility, especially for young people and underserved communities. Both institutions see educator-focused training as a force multiplier.

BPIF’s FinEd Train the Trainers Program will serve as the backbone of the collaboration, equipping teachers, student leaders, and community partners with practical and easy-to-teach modules on personal finance. 

The goal is to ensure that financial learning remains embedded in schools and cascades sustainably to surrounding communities.

Driving the initiative

“We are committed to building a financially literate Philippines by starting where it matters most, and that is with our educators,” Carmina Marquez, BPIF executive director, said in a press release on Dec. 5, 2025. 

“Our partnership with De La Salle University allows us to reach more communities in Laguna and empower them with the knowledge and skills needed to make sound financial decisions.”

The Student Affairs Office of DLSU Laguna Campus will spearhead the program locally, with potential collaboration from the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and support from the Department of Interior and Local Government–Laguna. 

The effort also opens pathways for joint projects, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that could benefit broader Southern Luzon communities.

The bigger picture

“This partnership is a direct and powerful commitment to the UN SDGs,” said Br. Bernard Oca FSC, DLSU president. 

“By sharing a comprehensive financial literacy program across the Province of Laguna, we are actively striving to achieve SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. We believe that financial empowerment is the foundation of stable and prosperous communities.”

More than 1,000 students, 150 teachers and facilitators, 300 DLSU employees, and 150 SK members stand to benefit through workshops, bootcamps, and hands-on personal finance activities—including guidance on budgeting, planning, and accessing seed funds for entrepreneurial pursuits.

What’s next

DLSU becomes the first educational institution in Laguna and the ninth nationwide this year to join BPIF’s growing FinEd network—an expansion that underscores rising demand for community-centered financial education. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma