National Conference and Best Practice Meeting: Strengthening Financial Literacy Across the Philippines

The Philippines’ greatest potential lies in its young people. Across the country, millions of children are imagining the careers they will pursue, the businesses they may create, and the lives they hope to build. Realizing that potential requires practical skills, trusted guidance, and the confidence to make informed decisions.

With approximately 30 million Filipinos between the ages of 10 and 24, according to the United Nations Population Fund, preparing young people for adulthood is both an educational priority and an investment in the country’s future.

On October 6, 2026, Junior Achievement (JA) of the Philippines advanced this goal at its National Conference and Best Practice Meeting at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City. Education leaders and partners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao came together to exchange lessons and explore how financial literacy education could reach more young Filipinos.

Around 100 participants from regions across the Philippines gathered to share insights and strengthen their commitment to youth development.

Representatives from the Department of Education, regional education offices, and partner schools shared classroom experiences and discussed strategies for expanding the reach of Junior Achievement programs. Their participation reflected a shared understanding: meaningful educational progress depends on collaboration among government, schools, civil society, and communities.

A defining moment was the signing of Memoranda of Agreement between JA Philippines and Department of Education Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula, Region XI – Davao, and Region XII – SOCCSKSARGEN. These agreements create new opportunities to expand financial education across the second-largest island in the archipelago, Mindanao, through schools and educators already well-known and trusted by the youth population.

Department of Education Regional Directors Dr. Ronelo Al K. Firmo, CESO IV, of Region IX; Dr. Maria Ines C. Asuncion, CESO IV, of Region XI; and Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte, CESO II, of Region XII, signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with JA Philippines to strengthen collaboration and expand youth development opportunities across the country.

For a student, financial literacy begins with everyday choices: understanding how money is earned, why saving matters, and how spending decisions add up. These lessons are increasingly important as access to financial services grows. The World Bank’s 2021 Global Findex Database found that 51 percent of adults in the Philippines had an account with a financial institution or mobile money provider, up from 34 percent in 2017. As access expands, young people need the knowledge to use financial tools responsibly.

Dr. Krishna Alejandrino, Executive Director of JA Philippines, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of strengthening partnerships and working together to create meaningful learning opportunities for Filipino youth.

Through best practice presentations and collaborative discussions, conference participants shared approaches to teaching the four-core Cha-Ching money concepts: Earn, Save, Spend, and Donate. Through these ideas, children learn about effort and value creation, planning and patience, thoughtful decision-making, and responsibility to others.  

Regional representatives participated in a strategic planning session to discuss program implementation, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration in advancing JA Philippines’ initiatives across the regions.

These capabilities extend beyond money management. Young people who can plan, manage limited resources, weigh choices, and respond to setbacks are better prepared for employment, entrepreneurship, and business ownership. They develop the confidence, capability, and resilience needed to navigate a changing world of work.

Participants also explored ways to make financial literacy lessons relevant and accessible across the Philippines’ diverse communities. By exchanging best practices, educators can learn effective teaching and outreach approaches from one another, adapt proven activities to local contexts, and strengthen efforts to reach children in underserved and remote areas.

Teachers took part in discussions on program planning, implementation, and sharing effective practices to support student learning.

Government engagement helps make this learning more sustainable. Collaboration with the Department of Education and its regional offices enables JA Philippines to align programs with educational priorities, support teachers, respond to local needs, and create pathways for effective approaches to reach more schools.

The significance goes beyond one conference or set of agreements. In classrooms across the Philippines, each lesson about earning, saving, spending, and giving helps a child build confidence and make more informed choices. Supported by schools, government, and committed partners, Filipino young people can approach adulthood prepared to shape their own paths and create opportunities for others.