Hindi na sapat ngayon ang pagkakaroon lang ng bank account o financial inclusion.
Para sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), kulang ito sa mga hamon na kinakaharap ng karaniwang Pilipino.
May bangko ka nga ngunit kung lubog ka naman sa utang, paano mo na lang ipa-plano ang iyong kinabukasan?
Ito ang isa sa mga suliranin na nais tugunan ng BSP sa pagsusulong nila ng financial health.
Ayon kay Financial Inclusion Office Deputy Director Kristine Orlina, ang pagbabagong ito ay pagpapalawig lang ng kanilang mandato sa ahensya na sumasalamin sa kasalukuyang pangangailangan ng mga tao.
Pero ano ba ang kailangan upang maging financially healthy?
“Financial health is the bridge between financial inclusion and the positive life outcomes,” pahayag niya sa isang webinar na ginanap noong Martes, April 14.
“By financial health, we mean the ability to meet everyday expenses, absorb and recover from financial shocks, plan for the future, and feel satisfied with one's finances.”
Lumabas din ang parehong suliranin sa naging resulta ng 2025 Consumer Finance and Inclusion Survey, kung saan nananatili pa ring hamon para sa maraming Pilipino ang pag-iipon at pagpaplano sa hinaharap.
Kaya naman dito nakatuon ang pangunahing layunin ng BSP sa kanilang “Three Pillars for Financial Health”: Inclusion, Education and Protection.”
Kabilang sa nagpapaigting nito ay ang mga handog nilang programa tulad ng Paleng-QR Ph Plus, BSP E-Learning Academy (BELA) at BSP Online Buddy (BOB) na pinatunayang matagumpay sa kanilang tungkulin na magbigay serbisyo sa mga Pilipino.
“Programs like Paleng-QRPh Plus help make accounts useful for everyday transactions. I'm proud to say that from 408 local government units or LGUs in 2024, we now have more than 1,000 LGUs that have adopted the program, covering markets, small stores or sari-sari stores and transport hubs nationwide,” pahayag ni Orlina.
“Since we opened BELA to the public in August 2025, BELLA has recorded over 140,000 enrollments across different regions and sectors.
“In the first semester of 2025, the BSP received and processed 53,644 new complaints, up from 29,510 or almost 82% higher than the same period last year. About 95% were handled through BOB, with most involving account management issues, followed by non-receipt of fund transfers and unauthorized transactions.”
AI para sa inclusivity
Pangako ni Orlina, marami pa ang maaaring abangan ng mga consumer mula sa kanila dahil patuloy lang ang isinasagawang nilang pagbabago.
“We are also currently using AI tools to analyze public sentiment from social media and online platforms to detect emerging consumer risk early. So a financial health perspective also shapes how we do policy.”
Ipinagmamalaki pa niya ang pagpapalakas ng nasabing ahensiya sa kanilang handog na serbisyo na Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA).
Layunin nito na paigtingin ang kahalagahan ng pagiimpok upang maging handa ang lahat para sa long-term retirement.
“You can think of PERA as a piggy bank. It does not replace your regular income and it's not meant to replace your emergency fund.
PERA exists so money that is meant for retirement stays focused on retirement. It is registered under your name and it cannot be transferred and cannot be opened as a joint account.”
Aniya, dahil ang Pilipinas ang magiging Chair ng Associantion of Southeast Asian Nations 2026, higit na prayoridad ang pagsusulong ng financial bilang isang pangangailangan ng rehiyon.
“We are working towards a common financial health framework among ASEAN members which supports comparability, peer learning, and coordinated action across the region. Across ASEAN, there is growing recognition that while financial inclusion has improved, access alone does not guarantee better financial outcomes,” dagdag ni Orlina.
“So the challenge today is no longer just opening accounts. The real challenge is helping people use financial services to manage daily needs, prepare for emergencies, and plan for the future.”
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