The Central Bank of the Philippines held an Economic and Financial Learning Program (EFLP) in Cotabato City on 17–18 September 2025 to help farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-entrepreneurs improve financial decision-making and engage with formal financial services. The sessions covered agri-business development, financing and insurance options, digital financial tools, emergency preparedness, and long-term financial planning, and included Islamic banking and financial services relevant to Muslim communities. An offshoot activity on 16 September targeted Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform personnel with personal financial management training, while a 19 September activity gave participants the opportunity to open accounts and experience formal financial services. The BSP cited its 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey showing 73% of farmers and fisherfolk remain outside the formal financial system, with barriers including limited access to banks, high transaction costs, lack of documentation, and low financial awareness, and noted the Cotabato program was its fourth EFLP rollout this year following earlier sessions for students and educators, MSMEs, and BSP employees.
Central Bank of the Philippines 2025-10-02
Central Bank of the Philippines runs Cotabato Economic and Financial Learning Program for farmers and fisherfolk
The Central Bank of the Philippines held an Economic and Financial Learning Program in Cotabato City to improve financial decision-making among farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-entrepreneurs. The program covered agri-business development, financing options, digital tools, and Islamic banking, highlighting barriers like limited bank access and low financial awareness. This is the fourth EFLP rollout in 2025, following sessions for students, MSMEs, and BSP employees.