Manulife Philippines strengthens financial literacy initiatives to support distance learning

MANILA, Philippines — As the country implements online distance learning in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Manulife Philippines has evolved its Peso Smart financial literacy program to support Filipino students who will continue their studies at home.

Manulife has announced a partnership with education and community development non-profit organization Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF) to launch PesoSmart x RecoveREADS, a learning program that aims to equip elementary students with Peso Smart learning kits.

These kits will include: an activity journal based on the company’s award-winning modules teaching children the basics of saving, budgeting and investing, as well as storybooks and school supplies.

In addition, Manulife employees will train volunteer teachers and parents so they can guide the students’ learning progress.

Manulife Philippines and CSAMF will pilot PesoSmart x RecoveREADS in two public elementary schools in Pasig City, namely Francisco Legaspi Memorial School and Buting Elementary School, which will benefit 100 students.

“We are happy to strengthen our PesoSmart program and continue to support Filipino students’ learning needs. We moved quickly to update and reformat it, so we can enable students at home to learn important lessons on money management, which have become even more valuable now,” said Melissa Henson, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Manulife Philippines.

“At Manulife, we would like to do our part in empowering our next generation with the knowledge and skills through financial literacy, so they can build a secure future for themselves, and make every day better,” Henson added.

Margarita Atayde, CSAMF executive director, shared, “Together with Manulife, we designed this program to empower students to build a brighter future for themselves by learning the foundations of financial literacy along with the proper attitude and mindset. Hand-in-hand with our partners—the schools, teachers and parents, we can make Peso Smart more accessible to children who need it most.”

“Financial literacy is a challenge in the entire country. Kung gusto nating mapahusay ang kaalaman ng mga Pilipino sa pera, upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng utang, kailangan natin itong simulan sa mga bata (If we want to improve Filipinos’ financial habits, to avoid accumulating debt, we should start teaching children while they are young),” said Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.

“We are grateful for this project of Manulife and CSAMF, and we hope that eventually we can expand this to other Pasig schools, both in public and private.” Sotto said.