Key industry stakeholders such as teachers, overseas Filipino workers (OFW), civil servants, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), stand to benefit from strengthened investor protection efforts as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and BDO Foundation launched new educational materials to combat financial scams.

The SEC said the new tools highlight the red flags of investment scams and are designed to help the public avoid fraudulent schemes.

The materials will be shown in programs, training, and seminars led by the SEC and BDO Foundation, and are also available on the SEC’s social media platforms.

“We believe investor protection is an important aspect of financial education, and by embarking on this, we will be able to better serve sectors that we are already serving, particularly teachers, OFWs and their families, civil servants, and MSMEs, sectors which also comprise part of SEC’s target audience,” BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito said.

Financial education required

“One of BDO Foundation’s core programs is financial education. This is rooted in our belief that Filipinos should be given the opportunity to acquire the needed knowledge, skills, values, and tools to manage their personal resources, maximize the benefits of their earnings, and build a better future for themselves and their loved ones,” he added.

SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino underscored the broader importance of protecting investors.

“Here at the SEC, it has always been our goal to ensure the protection of the investing public from fraudulent activities. We have seen the detrimental effects of these illicit activities not only on an individual level but, more importantly, on a societal level,” he said.

“But we know that the SEC cannot do everything on its own. This is why we are thankful that we have the likes of BDO Foundation as our partners in promoting investor education among the public,” Aquino added.