RCBC’s DiskarTech partners with DepEd for grassroots FinEd program

 

With the aim of improving the state of financial education in the country, Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and DiskarTech inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education (DepEd) highlighting the legacy bank’s commitment to help Filipinos understand and appreciate the value of financial technology and inclusive digital finance.

 

In a virtual MOA signing together with other DepEd stakeholders and partners, RCBC’s DiskarTech presented its plans for a massive, grassroots financial education campaign starting with the implementation of a curriculum-based digital finance study program that will be integrated next school year in the lessons of the senior high school students nationwide, especially those who are taking the Accounting, Business and Management (ABM) strand.

 

Dubbed as the Aralin sa Madiskarteng Pananalapi(Lessons in Resourceful Finance), the program puts a special focus on discussions and classroom activities that explore the concepts of digitalization, inclusive digital finance and financial technology. The program also aims to promote a deeper understanding of what RCBC has identified as the five pillars of financial inclusion: 1) payments, 2) insurance, 3) savings, 4) investments, and 5) loans. 

 

“We have taken it as part of our mission to accompany our countrymen in this journey towards financial inclusion. We dream of a day when our unbanked and underserved sectors will soon become fully banked individuals; that each Filipino household has taken the values of saving up and investing to heart. This starts with a grassroots financial education strategy,” said Lito Villanueva, RCBC’s Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer. 

 

On DepEd’s part, the partnership and program will not only benefit the learners but the whole educational system including the teachers and other stakeholders.

 

“RCBC has always been very helpful to us. The important thing that RCBC is doing is in financial literacy and these programs have to be continued. The laws on senior high school say that the learners have to be taught financial literacy. But not only should the learners be taught financial literacy but the teachers themselves so that the learners will take the cue and example from the teachers also. All of us have to be taught financial literacy,” said DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

 

The integration of the said program is also a step forward to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) vision of a“digital Philippines.” Through an effective financial education and digital literacy strategy and program, the BSP and RCBC believes that this program will also help Filipinos to maximize the services banks and other financial institutions offer, and that they are also empowered to rise above financial exclusion.

 

“In the end, we want every Filipino learner to find their own diskarte as early as senior high school, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for them to soon experience asenso at ginhawa. We believe that almost everything in digital banking innovation, supported by a strong grassroots financial education strategy, is within reach, hence echoing our DiskarTech mantra: Halos lahat pwede,” said RCBC President and CEO Eugene Acevedo. 

Filipino teachers and the passion that makes learning continuity possible

The new normal may have limited physical interaction, but in no way did it hinder the unyielding commitment and drive of those at the frontlines of education - Filipino teachers. Even if the academic community is facing numerous challenges in preparation for school year 2020-2021, countless Filipino teachers remain passionate about providing quality basic education to their students. 

Putting Students First

Cagayan National High School Master Teacher Enrique Garcia remains committed to learning continuity during the pandemic.

Like many others, Mr. Garcia received training through webinars for distance learning. This prepares him and many others for the potential challenges that might come during the school year. “Last April, when we were still under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), I took the initiative to come up with self-paced modules. I thought of coming up with modules because this is one way I could help my students for the coming school year,” said Garcia. 

According to Mr. Garcia, he spends his time collaborating with school leaders and his fellow teachers to create efficient class programs that will help the school adapt to the new normal. He also often meets with his colleagues virtually to discuss appropriate and effective learning delivery modalities for the upcoming school year. 

Mr. Garcia (middle) in one of the seminars he attended 

Mr. Garcia goes the extra mile by putting his students first and considering what learning delivery modality is apt for each of them. “I have to consider those who have the resources and those who have limited resources. After all, I cannot utilize a one-size-fits-all scheme. I deeply understand that my students are as diverse as the dreams their hearts have known.”  Teachers like Mr. Garcia exemplify DepEd’s resolve by remaining committed to delivering education amidst the pandemic.

Pride of the Panay Bukidnon Tribe

Argy Catolin, a teacher at Aglonok Primary School Iloilo, is a modern-day hero during these unprecedented times. Mr. Catolin is a proud member of the Panay Bukidnon Tribe, which inspired him to teach as a way to make education accessible to his kin.

Even before the pandemic, Mr. Catolin has been going above and beyond to teach the students in Barangay Cahigon, Calinog, Iloilo. Due to the geographical conditions, students and teachers alike need to take a 2-hour motorcycle ride and a 3-hour walk to reach Aglonok Primary School. Nevertheless, these challenges didn’t stop Mr. Catolin. “Teaching is about inspiring others,” Mr. Catolin reiterates. He is fueled by his passion to touch the lives of his students and influence their future.

With the on-going pandemic, Mr. Catolin admits that students and teachers will face more difficulties in learning. The lack of electricity and reception in their area poses challenges in the upcoming school year. Recognizing the limitations of their area, his school has opted to utilize modular distance learning.

Mr. Catolin’s first general assembly with parents and learners last school year 2019-2020

Despite the challenges they may face, teachers and parents at the Aglonok Primary School work together to make sure that students can adapt to the new normal in education. “In our case in upland areas, we always give our best in helping our pupils. We did it before the pandemic through the Adopt-a-Child Program,” Mr. Catolin shared. “In the new normal, we can help our students by providing learning materials and we can help our parents by providing accurate information regarding the new normal setting.”

“This pandemic affects everything all over the world.” Mr. Catolin said. “Until there’s no vaccine we have to deal with the new normal setting. Us teachers have to be equipped with a positive attitude towards this crisis.” Mr. Catolin also shared that it is only through the collective efforts of teachers, students, parents, and the Department of Education (DepEd) that they can make a difference during these difficult times.

Mr. Catolin and Mr. Garcia are only two of the countless teachers who have their students’ best interests at heart and are working tirelessly to ensure that they still receive quality education.

Both teachers insisted that learning must continue, even during this pandemic. Mr. Catolin believes that quality education can help reduce poverty, promote peace, and foster development in the community, which is why he is in favor of opening classes this year. “As a teacher, we have to be equipped with a positive attitude towards this crisis. Together, we can make a difference,” he said. 

Likewise, Mr. Garcia supports the various learning continuity initiatives in place for the incoming school year. “Education must continue. It is through it that we develop informed, critical, creative, adaptive, flexible, strong-spirited, culturally-clipped, morally-upright, and happy citizenry.”

The resilience, passion, and commitment of these teachers during these trying times have become a source of inspiration for others. As the teachers prepare for SY 2020-2021, the Department of Education (DepEd) is keen in providing support for these modern-day heroes. This is in line with the Department’s unwavering commitment to work with Filipino teachers to deliver quality education despite the circumstances. The collective efforts of the academic community, as well as the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan, are what will ultimately make the incoming school year a success.