EMPOWERING FINANCIAL LITERACY, the San Beda University (SBU) – Junior Financial Management Association (JFINMA), in collaboration with the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) of the Republic of the Philippines, launched a financial webinar introducing the Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs) last February 7 via Zoom meeting.
In collaboration with the BTr, the University tapped JFINMA to host a financial literacy event focused on RTB, a key government financial program, providing investment opportunities for all types of investors, ensuring a “safe and secure” investment.
Leading the initiative, Catherine Cervancia, the JFINMA President, emphasized the significance of a financial literacy event in the University.
“It is one of the most critical aspects that encapsulates the essence of our organization’s mission. The Bureau of The Treasury aimed to introduce this concept to young and aspiring professionals,” she stated.
Introducing the concept of RTB, Mr. Francis Medina, a Treasury Operations Officer from the BTr, discussed its relevance to the country’s economy by highlighting its alignment with the government’s objectives for economic growth and simplifying investments.
Continuing the program, Mr. Jose Angelo Abad, a Senior Investment Associate at the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), also elaborated on other investment methods by offering a historical background and discussing the expansion of “financial inclusion” within the country with RTB.
For his part, in concluding the forum, Mr. Leover Loyola, an Overseas Representative Officer from the Landbank of the Philippines, also presented a step-by-step process of investing through various methods.
Providing for an opportunity for questions and further insights, a moderated roundtable discussion was facilitated by Mr. Andoy Beltran, the Vice President of First Metro Securities. During the additional discussion, a collective answer emerged emphasizing the importance of being “well-informed” about investments, particularly regarding social responsibility, portfolio management, and how attending financial literacy events can benefit students.
Assessing the program, Cervancia remarked that despite being held online, it was “very successful and a great learning experience.”
In her concluding remarks, she encouraged participants to diligently study financial aspects and understand that every investment has its pros and cons. She emphasized the importance of weighing one’s decisions to determine where potential profit lies in the future.
(with Marc Joseph Felix)