A financial literacy session recently brought residents of Manapla, Negros Occidental together to talk about something often kept private but widely felt in everyday life: money.
The workshop, led by the BPI Foundation in partnership with the Municipality of Manapla, is part of an ongoing effort to bring practical financial education to communities outside major urban centers. For many participants, the session covered everyday decisions that shape long-term stability, from saving habits to understanding credit and planning for future expenses.
The initiative is anchored on the FinEd Unboxed program, which focuses on simplifying personal finance concepts for wider audiences. Over the next three years, the partnership aims to reach up to 30,000 residents in Manapla, with sessions designed to be accessible to different age groups and backgrounds.
Manapla is the second municipality in Negros Occidental to take part in the program, following Victorias City. It is also among the early adopters nationwide as the foundation continues to expand its reach across local government units.
The goal is to go beyond awareness and focus on practical application within the municipality. Local officials said the program supports efforts to help residents make more informed financial decisions and strengthen household resilience over time.
“Programs like FinEd Unboxed empower our community to make informed financial decisions and build a stronger, more resilient local economy,” said Mayor Mikaela Socorro Escalante.
BPI Foundation said the partnership reflects its long-term approach to financial education, enterprise development, and livelihood support in communities where access to these resources can make a significant difference.
To date, its financial education programs have reached 3.3 million Filipinos nationwide, a scale that continues to grow as more local governments sign on.
The Manapla rollout adds another layer to that expansion, with learning sessions that move beyond theory and into the realities of managing daily income, planning ahead, and building more stable financial foundations.
