The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) VIII recently conducted the Regional Forum on Economic and Financial Literacy 2021 on 19 November, via Zoom.

This year’s theme – “Redefining Ambisyon Natin 2040 in the New Normal” – recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged and expanded our understanding of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay.

NEDA VIII Regional Director Atty. Bonifacio G. Uy saw this as both a challenge and an opportunity.

“… as more and more Filipinos enter these new frontiers of trade and commerce, it is a necessity that we ensure that Eastern Visayanons, especially our youth, are economically and financially literate… and [able to] take advantage of these new opportunities to propel us to equitable regional development.” said Director Uy.

The forum brought together more than 300 students, teachers, government employees, and private sector participants from around the region, joining via Facebook Live and Zoom, to listen in on discussions from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Economic and Financial Learning Office (EFLO) on improving financial health and security through proper financial planning, debt management, and investments.

Following the discussions, the forum also featured the launch of the “Tayo ang Susi sa Pag-Unlad: The RDC VIII Financial Planning Video-Making Contest”.

Representing RDC VIII-Advocacy Chairperson Ninfa Quirante, PIA VIII’s Ms. Golda Meir Tabao explained that the contest aims to instill among the youth an appreciation of the value of good planning by encouraging them to think about good financial practices that they can apply in their everyday lives.

The RDC VIII has set Php 15,000.00-worth of prizes for prospective winners, with participants encouraged to read the mechanics in full in the NEDA VIII page.

The forum was conducted in accordance with Republic Act No. 10922, or “An Act Declaring the Second Week of November of Every Year as Economic and Financial Literacy Week” which aims to develop national consciousness on economic and financial literacy, as well as other socioeconomic development matters.

Article and Photos by: Knulp Aseo