The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) echoed the call of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) for investor education and protection through the Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy program. The annual bell ringing event is hosted by WFE in support of the International Organization of Securities Commissions' (IOSCO) World Investor Week initiative.

"Investor education and protection go hand in hand. The PSE has adopted investor education as a key strategy to enhance investor protection, promote investor confidence, enable investors to understar and manage risk, and investors' vulnerability to fraudulent schemes. Investor protection plays a crucial role in contributing to market growth," said PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon in his message during the event.

Mr. Monzon outlined the investor education programs and tools of PSE, including the PSE Academy website, www.pseacademy.com.ph, and its official social media and messaging app accounts on platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok, and Viber.

Meantime, the new PSE Academy Facebook community was launched during the program. The community willcomplement PSE's existing social media accounts and will feature learning materials, weekly postings, PSE updates, and allow knowledge sharing on relevant stock market topics.

Mr. Monzon also highlighted the need to inculcate in the youth a saving and investing mindset versus a spending and gambling one. To this end, PSE has reached out to the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to propose a mandatory financial literacy course in the student curriculum.

In his Ring the Bell message, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Atty. Francis Ed. Lim sald that financial literacy is the first and most reliable line of detense against investment scams that deceive our people and erode public trust. "An informed public - one that can identify red flags and challenge suspicious promises - is the best safeguard for our capital markets. Because a financially literate citizenry does not just protect itself; itit builds bu ara nation of confident investors able to fuel innovation, create jobs, and drive inclusive growth."