Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) have joined forces to deliver financial literacy programs to the Davao region via the BPI Foundation (BPIF), the bank’s social development arm. The shared goal of this partnership is to provide local communities with the information and tools they need to become financially healthy.
Among Mindanao schools, Mapúa Malayan Colleges stands out as the first to work with BPIF’s FinEd Unboxed, a financial education curriculum that includes the Breakthrough app for management of finances. Essential financial education will be provided to the residents of the area through the program’s emphasis on providing effective training and capacity-building sessions.
With this relationship with Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, we are thrilled to increase our activities in Davao. The goal of collaborating with schools and local leaders is to promote financial wellness and give families the tools they need to build a better financial future, according to Carmina Marquez, the executive director of BPIF.
The “Train the Trainers” program will be used by BPIF to assist Mapúa’s adopted communities, as stated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that was signed on February 6, 2025. The goal of this program is to provide representatives and instructors with the resources they need to run financial wellness programs in ten different Davao City neighborhoods. There will be a substantial effect in the area from the initiative, since an estimated 2,700 people would benefit directly and another 8,100 will benefit indirectly.
In 2025, the initiative will include the following communities and schools:
The following elementary schools are located in Davao City: Josefa Llanes Escoda Elementary School in Brgy. Maa, Catigan Elementary School in Toril, Langub Elementary School in Brgy. Langub, Maa, R.C. Quimpo Elementary School in Bago Aplaya, Carmen Integrated School in Brgy. New Carmen, Tugbok Elementary School in Davao City, Anecito Barbarona Elementary School in Brgy. Angalan Elementary School in the Tugbok District of Davao City, and New Matina Elementary School in Gravahan.
The following communities are located in Davao City: Brgy. Tawan-Tawan in the Baguio District, Brgy. Matina Pangi in Davao City, and the Department of Migrant Workers in Buhangin.
In 2026, the program will serve an additional 4,000 people in the region when it expands to 11 other municipalities. This will help with financial literacy activities.
Engr. Alejandro Ballado, Jr., EVP and COO of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, expressed his pride in becoming the first academic partner for BPIF’s financial education programs in Mindanao. “This partnership offers an excellent opportunity for our faculty and students to play an active role in promoting financial literacy, not just in Davao, but across all Mapúa campuses nationwide.”
By working together, BPI Foundation and Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao are laying the groundwork for Mindanao to become financially stronger and more resilient. Communities in the area will benefit from long-term, sustainable growth and prosperity if they put an emphasis on education and financial empowerment.
