Outstanding finance-oriented teachers

MANILA, Philippines - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of Education awarded last week the best finance educators who taught saving, money management and entrepreneurship in public elementary schools under the 2013 GURO ng PAG-ASA (Gantimpala para sa Ulirang Pagtuturo sa Pag-iimpok at Araling Pansalapi).  The winners are, from left:  Agueda Pal-iwen of Lucban Elementary School in Baguio City; Mae Pangantihon of Santa Barbara Central Elementary School in Iloilo; Jeanette Bagtas of Caba Elementary School in La Union; and Rowen de la Peña of Sumilihon Central Elementary School in Butuan City. The awarding ceremony was led by, from left: Monetary Board Member (MBM) Armando Suratos; members of the board of judges Dr. Wilma Reyes of the Philippine Normal University, Dr. Marilet Almayda of the DepEd and Former Education Secretary Dr. Fe Hidalgo as chair; BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr.; MBM Peter Favilal; and MBM Alfredo Antonio. The joint project of the BSP and the DepEd aims to teach saving as a habit among schoolchildren. A BSP survey indicated that only 20 percent of Philippine households have savings accounts while a PDIC study indicated that over 60 percent of deposit accounts have balances of only P5,000.00 and below. Tetangco said BSP’s objective is to raise the number and the level of savings in the country under our program to develop an inclusive financial system to achieve inclusive growth.