SEC cited for innovative financial literacy initiatives

(Top photo) SEC External Affairs Department Director Ela R. Xavier-Padilla receives the Innovative Financial Education Partner recognition on behalf of the Commission on November 18 at the BSP Headquarters in Manila. (Bottom photo, third from right) SEC Advocacy Officer Michele Angela N. Okol represented the Commission in a panel discussion on promoting financial literacy during the Financial Education Stakeholders’ Congress 2025 on November 17. (Photos courtesy of BSP)

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been recognized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for implementing innovative programs that promote financial education among Filipinos.

The Commission on November 18 formally received the recognition as one of Innovative Financial Education Partners of the BSP during the second day of the Financial Education Stakeholders’ Congress 2025.

The recognition is given to agencies that implement creative and scalable financial education initiatives promoting financial resilience and inclusion among stakeholders, and showcasing effective systems for institutional learning and impact measurement.

Other agencies recognized by the BSP include the Department of Agriculture Agriculture Credit Policy Council, the Department of Education, Asian Development Bank, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), and the Insurance Commission (IC).

“It is an honor for the SEC to be recognized for its initiatives to promote financial education, which is a crucial step toward ensuring that people can make smart investment decisions,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim said.

“As it remains unwavering in its fight against investment scams and illegal lenders, the Commission will continue to leverage on partnerships with other organizations and government agencies such as the BSP to reinforce the importance of financial literacy in securing one’s financial future,” he added.

The SEC has consistently led programs that champion financial education. In June, the Financial Sector Forum—composed of the BSP, SEC, PDIC, and the IC—relaunched the Protect Your Money Campaign, shifting its financial literacy campaign to digital platforms to address the rise of online scams. Under the campaign, the SEC produced reels, short-form videos and targeted campaigns to reach its stakeholders.

The SEC also participated in a panel discussion on the first day of the Financial Education Stakeholders’ Congress 2025 to tackle practices and tools that would effectively promote financial learning.

In November, the Commission led the celebration of Investor Protection Week (IPW) 2025, with the theme, “InvestED Tayo sa Kinabukasang Sigurado,” a wordplay on the words invested and investor education to emphasize the importance of financial literacy for a secure financial future.

The IPW celebration showcased the relaunch of SEC Academy, its revamped educational platform that offers free online courses on how to effectively manage personal finances wisely, start a business, and invest wisely.

The SEC advocates for making financial literacy a mandatory subject for high school students through lessons integrated in the SEC Academy, in a bid to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to make wise financial choices.

The Commission also partners with both public and private sector organizations under the SEC Communication, Advocacy, and Network (SEC CAN!) program to expand the reach of its financial education campaigns.