In a remarkable achievement for BDO Foundation, the program “KITA (Kapital at Ipon Tungo sa Asenso) Mo Na!” was lauded as the Financial Inclusion Initiative of the Year at the Asian Banking & Finance Retail Banking Awards 2025. This program is specifically designed to aid farmers, enriching their financial knowledge and empowering them to enhance their productivity and earnings potential. As stated in The Manila Times, the initiative is a collaborative effort by BDO Foundation, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC).
The Award-Winning Strategy
KITA Mo Na! employs an innovative gamified approach to financial education. Farmers are engaged through real-life scenario games, making the learning process both enjoyable and effective. This ensures that farmers can readily apply financial management concepts to everyday decisions, thereby securing better financial outcomes for themselves and their communities.
A Growing Impact
As of the end of 2024, this transformative program has reached 870 farmers, equipping them with skills in saving, budgeting, debt management, and fraud prevention. The initiative doesn’t stop at knowledge—it extends its reach through a “training of trainers” strategy, ensuring a broad and lasting impact.
Dedicated Partnerships
The success of KITA Mo Na! underscores the fruitful partnership between BDO Foundation and its associates. Mario Deriquito, President of the Foundation, expressed that the award is an inspiration to continue contributing to national financial inclusion efforts, a sentiment echoed by Marikit Naguiat, who emphasized the power of collaborative endeavors in uplifting farming communities.
Future Commitments
BDO Foundation pledges to keep pace with the goals of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion. This award is not just a milestone; it’s a stepping stone towards greater endeavors in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly within the agricultural sector.
Join us in celebrating this incredible effort to embolden our farmers with the financial acumen needed to thrive in today’s economy! The seeds of this award-winning initiative are sure to reap rewards for many years to come.
