BDO Life President and CEO Renato Vergel De Dios is renewing the call for Filipino breadwinners to secure life insurance, saying it remains the most reliable safety net for families when income unexpectedly stops.

“If you are the family's breadwinner, your most valuable asset is your ability to earn. And the only instrument that can protect that asset is life insurance,” he said. After 50 years in the industry, he noted that many families still hesitate to get coverage due to tight budgets, more pressing needs, and the belief that insurance is expensive.

Vergel De Dios said the real barrier is the reluctance to talk about illness, death, and financial hardship, causing breadwinners to delay action until it is too late. He emphasized that insurance is not designed for the wealthy but for workers who provide daily for their families: “Insurance has never been primarily for the rich. It’s for those who need to go to work every day to provide for their families.”

He described life insurance as essential to “liquidate debt, create a fund for final expenses, and leave behind continuing family income.” While the breadwinner is considered the family's Plan A, he said a financial backup—or Plan B—is necessary because “we never know what tomorrow brings.” He added that life insurance is ultimately for those who will be left behind. “Ang pamilya mo ang nangangailangan ng Plan B,” he said.

Vergel De Dios stressed that pure life insurance protection does not have to be costly and that add-ons are what drive premiums higher. Peace of mind, he said, comes from ensuring loved ones can maintain the lifestyle the breadwinner provided.

“No present can express love more strongly than a gift of a secure future for those who depend on you,” he said, describing insurance as “the most selfless purchase a man can make for his loved ones.”

Filipinos interested in getting coverage may visit the nearest BDO branch to consult a BDO Life Financial Advisor or access the Get a Quote page at www.bdo.com.ph/bdo-life/get-a-quote.