Baguio: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recognized 18 outstanding stakeholders in Northern Luzon on Tuesday for their invaluable support in financial education and promotion. Among the awardees were China Banking Corporation - Baguio - La Trinidad Cash Center; Land Bank of the Philippines branches in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija, Dagupan in Pangasinan, San Fernando City in La Union, Tuguegarao Capitol in Cagayan; and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co, also in Dagupan.
According to Philippines News Agency, awards were also given to Rang-ay Bank, Inc., Cooperative Development Authority - Central Luzon; Department of Information and Communications Technology-Ilocos Region; Department of Trade and Industry provincial offices in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Cagayan Valley; Bankers Association of Laoag City and Ilocos Norte, Inc.; and La Union Bankers Association-University of Saint Louis, Tuguegarao.
In a similar gesture, the city government of Cabanatuan and the provincial government of Pangasinan were recognized and named as outstanding partners of the BSP head office. BSP Monetary Board member Walter Wassmer, in his speech, highlighted the contributions of the awardees, stating that they have sown seeds of trust, inclusion, and innovation across Northern Luzon.
Wassmer emphasized that the awardees have brought financial education and access closer to the people, initiating outreach caravans and providing simple savings options for families, cooperatives, and small businesses. He praised their efforts in fostering digital participation through initiatives like free market Wi-Fi, the launch of Palengke QR-PH Plus, and expanded digital banking services.
BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, in an interview, expressed gratitude to stakeholders such as banks, private institutions, and the Bankers Association of the Philippines for aiding BSP in fulfilling its mandate. She highlighted their role in supporting cash services, promoting digital payments, and advancing financial education.
