Financial literacy is an essential life skill that everyone needs to have, particularly indigenous people. These communities often experience marginalization and economic disadvantages. They face poverty, limited financial access, and cultural barriers to financial education. The Iraya Mangyans of Mindoro are certainly no exception.
CCIPH has collaborated with the BPI Foundation to organize a financial literacy training program for the Iraya Mangyans working under the Mindoro Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Programme. The goal of this initiative is to equip the Iraya community with the necessary knowledge and tools so they can make informed decisions, avoid exploitation, access resources effectively, and thrive in today’s economy. The training session was conducted on February 7, 2024, at Nirvana Resort in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.
As the social development arm of The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), the BPI Foundation, Inc. strives to create self-reliant and sustainable communities by empowering them through financial wellness and sustainable positive change. Conducting free financial wellness training such as this is just one of their many outreach activities.
The Mindoro Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Programme’s goal is to protect the forests in Mindoro, preserve High Conservation Value areas, and enhance the livelihood of local communities. It involves the active participation of the Mangyan communities who are responsible for managing and preserving the ecosystems.
