BASCO, BATANES — More than 50 fisherfolk from all six municipalities are now better equipped with practical knowledge on budgeting, saving, debt management, insurance, and financial planning after attending a Fish N’ LEarn financial education session organized by BDO Foundation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The training session focused on essential financial skills in savings, budgeting, debt management, and micro-entrepreneurship using real-life and contextualized scenarios designed specifically for fishing communities. Financial lessons were simulated using a special game kit that allowed participants to earn, borrow, sell, and buy using the money they earned.
A separate training of trainers (TOT) session was conducted for personnel of the municipal agriculture offices. These TOT participants will take the lead in rolling out the training program to other fishing communities in the province.
Beyond financial education, the initiative also provided participants with immediate access to formal financial services. On the first day of the training, representatives from the province’s three banking institutions assisted participants in opening bank accounts. This complemented the lessons on budgeting and saving, allowing them to immediately apply what they learned and take a concrete step toward improving their financial health.
“Natutunan ko po sa training na kailangan magdagdag ng ibang negosyo, tapos yung pag-iipon, tapos iwasan din yung pangungutang, paglalaan ng pera sa mga katulad ng paluwagan at pag-iwas sa mga scam,” said participant Ramil Gonzales. (I learned that we need to add other ways of making a living, saving, avoiding debt, pooling money in lending circles, and avoiding scams.)
The activity was attended by officials from the Batanes provincial government and the 6 municipal governments, BSP, BFAR, and BDO Foundation, highlighting a shared commitment to strengthening financial capability among underserved communities.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote financial inclusion by bringing financial education to communities that traditionally have limited access to formal financial services.
Addressing participants, BDO Foundation president Mario A. Deriquito underscored the importance of financial literacy in helping families build a more secure future.
“Ang training na ito ay tungkol sa isang mahalagang bagay—kung paano mas mapapakinabangan ang bawat pisong pinaghirapan ninyo para sa mas maayos na pagpaplano para sa kinabukasan ninyo at ng inyong mga pamilya. Ang paghawak ng pera, kung tutuusin, ay katulad din ng pangingisda—kailangan ng paghahanda at pag-iingat.” (This training is about one important thing—how to maximize every peso you save to better plan your future and the future of your family. Managing money is just like fishing—it needs preparation and caution.)
By combining financial education with access to formal financial services, Fish N’ LEarn helps fisherfolk move from learning to doing, empowering them to build savings, prepare for emergencies, and plan more confidently for the future.
