An official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has cited the gains of continued financial education among Filipinos. BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Thursday (Aug. 7, 2025) that there are improvements but more needs to be done to ensure the Filipinos’ financial health. (PNA file photo)
The government’s latest retail treasury bond (RTB) sale is enjoying strong public interest — a trend the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) partly credits to the country’s sustained drive for financial literacy.
Designed for ordinary investors, RTBs have a low entry point — a minimum placement of just PHP 5,000, with increments of the same amount — making them a gateway for Filipinos to start saving and investing.
The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) opened the offer period for the 31st tranche of RTBs on August 5, running until August 15. These government-guaranteed securities can be purchased easily through the BTr website, participating banks, and even mobile apps.
BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in an interview that the growing number of RTB issuances reflects a rising awareness among Filipinos about the value of investing.
“At the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, we see this as a positive sign that more Filipinos are recognizing the importance of building their wealth and securing their future,” she noted.
While the latest data from the BSP’s 2023 Consumer Finance and Inclusion Survey has yet to be released, Puyat cited earlier findings from the 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey, which showed that the proportion of adult Filipinos who invest jumped to 36 percent — up from just 25 percent in 2019.
But she emphasized that the mission goes beyond teaching investment basics.
“Financial literacy and overall financial health remain ongoing goals,” Puyat said. “We need to help more Filipinos master saving, budgeting, and investing so they can make smarter financial decisions.”
The BSP’s broader vision for financial health includes equipping Filipinos to manage daily expenses, prepare for unexpected financial shocks, and make informed long-term choices — all vital as the country advances toward upper middle-income status.
To support this, the BSP has teamed up with other government agencies, schools, and private institutions for various programs. These include the BSP e-Learning Academy (BELA) and nationwide financial education roadshows, both aimed at making financial skills more accessible to the public.
“Together, these efforts show the BSP’s holistic approach — not just advancing financial literacy, but also ensuring protection, access, and resilience for every Filipino,” Puyat said.
