The Central Bank of the Philippines hosted the ASEAN High-Level Roundtable on Financial Health in a virtual format, bringing together senior officials from ASEAN central banks alongside development partners and private-sector representatives. The discussion focused on financial health initiatives, measurement frameworks and policy priorities, with linked attention to consumer protection and efforts to combat digital fraud and scams. BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. framed financial health as household resilience, including the ability to manage day-to-day finances, absorb shocks and plan ahead, and argued that policy should expand capabilities rather than focus only on access to services. He also highlighted that rapid digitalisation increases risks as well as opportunities, pointing to the need for stronger safeguards so financial services support household well-being. BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo Puyat called for financial health to be embedded in central banking priorities and national strategies, and emphasised cross-government and private-sector collaboration to translate policy into outcomes. The roundtable moved online as part of a broader shift of ASEAN meetings in 2026 to virtual settings due to an energy-supply issue linked to the Middle East conflict. Advancing financial health was positioned as one of the Philippines’ key economic deliverables as ASEAN Chair for 2026.
Central Bank of the Philippines 2026-04-20
Central Bank of the Philippines convenes ASEAN roundtable on financial health frameworks and digital fraud safeguards
The Central Bank of the Philippines hosted the virtual ASEAN High-Level Roundtable on Financial Health, focusing on financial health initiatives, measurement frameworks and policy priorities, including consumer protection and efforts to combat digital fraud. Senior officials highlighted the need to view financial health as household resilience, embed it in central banking and national strategies, and strengthen safeguards as digitalisation accelerates. Advancing financial health was positioned as one of the Philippines’ key economic deliverables as ASEAN Chair for 2026.