BDO Foundation has brought financial literacy and formal banking access to over 50 fisherfolk in Batanes, helping communities across the province improve how they manage income, build savings and prepare for financial emergencies.

In the Fish N’ LEarn program organized by the foundation, in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, participants were gathered from six municipalities for practical lessons on budgeting, saving, debt management, insurance and micro-entrepreneurship.

Real-life scenarios and a game-based kit

Rather than relying solely on lectures, the training used real-life scenarios and a game-based kit that allowed fisherfolk to simulate earning, borrowing, buying and selling. The activities were designed around the financial challenges commonly faced by fishing communities.

The training session also connected participants directly to formal financial services. Representatives from three banks operating in Batanes assisted them in opening bank accounts during the training, allowing participants to immediately apply lessons on saving and money management.