City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift subsidiary of Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), is scaling up its financial wellness programs to better support the country’s public servants — particularly teachers, uniformed personnel, and local government employees.
In a statement, CitySavings senior vice president and salary and pension loans business head Jose Paulo Soliman said the Bank remains committed to promoting responsible and sustainable financial management among workers who provide essential public service.
“The best time to save is now,” Soliman said. “CitySavings aims to be known as the Bangko ng Barangay (Community Bank). Serving our public servants is a priority because they are the lifeblood of our communities and need support. Our teachers shape the minds of the young; our uniformed personnel keep our communities safe; and our LGU workers serve as frontliners. They all look out for us. Who will look out for them?”
To encourage savings and financial discipline, CitySavings recently introduced its Power Savings deposit account, offering an introductory rate of 4 percent per annum while maintaining flexible withdrawals and deposits.
Alongside its products, the Bank regularly conducts nationwide financial education sessions. Its flagship “Project ₱er@parasyon” (PeraParasyon) is held in schools, regional offices, local headquarters, and even off-grid camps to help teachers and uniformed personnel learn practical strategies for saving, investing and managing debt.
CitySavings also expanded its capability-building initiatives with “Project Entre₱ar@syon (EntreParasyon),” a program designed to equip uniformed personnel and public servants with practical tools to start and sustain business ventures. The program is delivered in partnership with subject matter experts and tailored to real-world entrepreneurial hurdles.
Recognizing the increasing number of workers transitioning to retirement, CitySavings announced the upcoming rollout of “Project Pension₱ar@syon (PensionParasyon),” which will guide soon-to-retire employees in planning their pensions and long-term financial health.
Since the launch of PeraParasyon in 2016, CitySavings has held more than 1,600 sessions nationwide and trained nearly 120,000 teaching and uniformed personnel.
Beneficiaries have reported positive outcomes. “The session inspired me to start small but stay committed — reminding everyone that the choices made today will define their financial comfort tomorrow,” said Elizabeth Sanchez of Talon 3 Elementary School in Las Piñas City.
Philippine Coast Guard CPO Nelson Corpuz shared a similar perspective after joining the entrepreneurial program. “I learned how to better budget my finances… and how to make wiser investments so my earnings can grow even more,” he said.
CitySavings said its goal is to ensure that essential public workers not only serve communities but are also supported in securing their own financial future.