BPI Foundation, ACEN bring financial literacy to Dumagat communities

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, teamed up with ACEN, the Ayala group’s listed energy platform, to provide financial education sessions for the Indigenous Dumagat communities of Real and Mauban, Quezon.

This activity forms part of BPI Foundation’s FinEd Unboxed program under its Train the Trainer initiative. With ACEN’s help in organizing on the ground, the program reached communities that the energy company considers at the heart of its renewable energy work in the area.

“Our recent financial education session with the Dumagat community is a reminder of why we do what we do. It embodies our commitment to our rallying call, ‘Kasama lahat sa pag-unlad.’ By sharing essential financial skills, we hope to help them build a more secure and sustainable future—one that empowers them to pursue new opportunities while staying deeply rooted in their traditions,” said Carmina Marquez, BPIF Executive Director.

A total of 29 Dumagat participants attended, with 15 coming from Mauban and 14 from Real. BPI employee volunteers led the training, teaching practical ways to manage savings, insurance, debt, investments and to guard against scams and fraud. The goal was to help participants gain simple skills to make wiser financial choices for the future.

“We are grateful to ACEN for joining us on this meaningful journey. Their instrumental role as the community’s bridge made it possible for us to bring this program to life and create lasting impact where it truly matters,” Marquez added.

The partnership highlights how businesses can make a bigger difference by working together, especially for underserved and Indigenous communities. This effort not only supports financial literacy but also shows the partners’ shared belief in empowering Filipinos to take part in progress.