BPIF and ACEN seal 3-year partnership to empower underserved Filipinos with financial knowledge, skills

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MANILA, Philippines — As a financial institution committed to fostering meaningful financial inclusion, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) continues to make significant strides in strengthening financial literacy in the country, particularly among underserved communities.

One of its latest initiatives is a partnership between its social development arm, BPI Foundation (BPIF), and Ayala Group’s listed renewable energy company, ACEN, aimed at advancing financial literacy and enhancing economic resilience in communities near ACEN’s project sites across Real, Quezon; Pakil, Pangil and Paete, Laguna; and San Marcelino, Subic, Castillejos, Palauig, Iba and Botolan, Zambales.

At the signing of the memorandum of agreement, BPIF and ACEN announced a three-year collaboration to support the rollout and sustainability of financial education programs.

The initiative will be implemented through BPI’s flagship financial education program, FinEd Unboxed, which equips participants with essential knowledge on core financial concepts like budgeting, saving, investing and fraud prevention through community-based approaches and interactive tools.

The program will focus on capacitating local community leaders to become effective financial literacy advocates.

Financial literacy among Filipino adults is steadily improving. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), 74% of adults can correctly answer basic financial questions in 2025 from 69% in 2021.

However, the BSP added that only 43% reported satisfaction with their financial situation. Only three in 10 Filipino adults said they have enough savings to endure financial shocks, highlighting the need for further financial education.

“At BPI Foundation, we believe that financial education is not a privilege—it is a foundation for opportunity and progress,” Carmina Marquez, BPIF executive director, said. 

“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," Marquez continued. 

In 2025, BPIF and ACEN conducted financial literacy sessions that equipped 334 participants—from Laguna, Quezon and Zambales—with practical knowledge on saving, 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.

Building on the success of these initial sessions, BPIF and ACEN are expanding their efforts through a broader financial literacy program set to begin in June 2026. The initiative aims to reach 3,000 direct beneficiaries across communities near ACEN’s project sites, further advancing financial inclusion and economic resilience in underserved areas.

“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,” Gabby Mejia, ACEN executive director, said.

“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," Meija added. 

BPIF and ACEN’s partnership highlights the strong synergy within the Ayala Group in advancing sustainability goals and reaching underserved and indigenous communities.

In 2025, BPIF’s financial education initiatives have reached 3.3 million Filipinos in local communities nationwide.

To learn more about BPIF’s programs, visit www.bpifoundation.org or follow BPI Foundation on Facebook (@BPIFoundation) and Instagram (@bpifoundationinc).

Editor’s Note: This press release is sponsored by BPI Foundation. It is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.