Insider Spotlight
Held on March 25, the initiative gathered more than 300 participants for discussions on budgeting, saving, credit awareness, and fraud prevention, while also giving attendees direct access to financial products and services that could help improve their economic stability.
The program highlighted the growing role of women in household financial management and grassroots entrepreneurship, with BPI positioning financial literacy as a key driver of stronger families and communities.
“At BPI, we believe that empowering women with financial knowledge creates a ripple effect that strengthens families and entire communities. ‘Basta Babae, Wais!’ is about meeting women where they are, equipping them with practical tools, and supporting them as they take control of their financial journey. Through initiatives like this, we become the trusted partner in their everyday progress,” said Ginbee Go, head of Consumer Banking at BPI.
Why it matters
The event featured stories from local women entrepreneurs, including operators of a school supplies store, carinderia, livestock business, and street food stall, highlighting how small community enterprises can grow through practical financial management and market awareness.
One of the speakers, carinderia owner Karen Marie Castillo, shared advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the community.
“Target location and kailangan afford ng ating community ’yung itinitinda natin,” she said. (“Target location and make sure our community can afford what we’re selling,” she said.)
Participants also explored financial solutions from BPI and its partners, including account opening services, digital banking platform VYBE by BPI, loan offerings from BanKo, and insurance products from BPI AIA and BPI MS. The details were disclosed through a company release.
The bigger picture
Banks across the Philippines are ramping up financial literacy and inclusion programs as more consumers adopt digital financial services and seek better access to savings, credit, and protection products.
For women, access to financial education is increasingly seen as critical to improving household resilience and supporting local economic activity, especially in underserved communities.
BPI said “Basta Babae, Wais!” reflects its continuing effort to make financial services more accessible and relevant, particularly for women who play a central role in managing family finances and driving community-based businesses. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
