DSWD Joins the Kita-kita: A Gathering of Financial Education Partner

During the town hall discussion, Asec. Janet P. Armas shares key insights and the DSWD’s innovative Financial Education strategies and plans on financial education strategies with DSWD staff and LSWDOs, empowering them to create lasting change in the lives of the communities they serve.
Key leaders from BSP, BDO, and BDOF, including Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Mario A. Deriquito, President, BDO Foundation, join Usec. Denise Bernos-Bragas during the presentation of the highlights from the impactful Townhall discussion.
DSWD Joins the Kita-kita: A Gathering of Financial Education Partner
Publication Date:
Author/s:
Alma M. David, RSW - DSWD Academy

On  March 21, 2025, The Kita-kita: A Gathering of Financial Education Partner organized by BDO Foundation (BDOF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was conducted at BDO Valero Towers Makati City. The session brought together public and private sector partners to discuss insights gained from implementing financial education programs for different sectors in the country.

The DSWD participated in the event as a FinED partner panelist for the town hall discussion, which was represented by Assistant Secretary Janet Armas. This aimed to evaluate financial education programs, share insights for policy development, and discuss strategies for enhancing financial literacy in the Philippines. The session was also joined by BSP and BDOF’s government partners in FinEd, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).​

The second part of the program featured speeches from BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, BDOF President Mr. Mario Deriquito, and BDO Trustee Mr. Jerome Guevarra, with BDO Chairperson of BDO Unibank Teresita Sy Coson to present the summary of the Townhall discussion. This was attended by Usec. Denise Bernos- Bragas. 

Ms. Salve Duplito moderated the engaging and dynamic discussion, covering best practices in digitalization, institutionalization of policies, and scaling up and harmonization; and challenges in changes in leadership, scale of sector to  cover and resources to sustain the rollout, monitoring and feedback mechanisms, language barriers, cost, and behavior change.

The DSWD Academy also took part in the event, reinforcing the Department’s commitment to advancing financial literacy among social workers and the broader social welfare sector. Through collaborations like these, the DSWD continues to support the development of financially empowered communities across the country.

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