Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – Some sixty (60) youth and workers in the informal sector in Region 2 have successfully gained a deeper awareness on economic and financial literacy (EFL) after attending the EFL forum conducted on 10 November 2017 here.

Spearheaded by the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office 02 (NEDA RO2), the forum was the highlight of the week-long nationwide celebration of the “Economic and Financial Literacy Week” from 6-10 November 2017, observed every second week of November. The annual celebration which started last year is pursuant to Republic Act No. 10922 or the Economic and Financial Literacy Act, which became a law on 22 July 2016.

This year’s observance targeted the participation of the youth and workers in the informal sector, recognizing their respective roles in the country’s economic growth. With the theme, “O Kita Mo Na: Pag May Alam sa Ekonomiya at Pinansya, Malaki ang Ganansya”, the activity aimed to raise the consciousness of the participants on EFL to help them learn how the economy works and how to manage better their personal finances. The participants were composed of student-leaders from higher education institutions as well as the officers and members of the workers in the informal sector in Region 2.

“Naniniwala kami na sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng kaalaman sa ekonomiya at pinansya, lalo kayong magiging mahusay sa paghawak ng pera at sa pagpapalaki ng ganansya o kita”, Engr. Gerardo L. Catolos, OIC-Chief Economic Development Specialist of NEDA RO2, quipped during his opening message.

“By being economically and financially literate, you will be able to make sound and well-informed decisions with your resources; and hence, contribute more to our economy and to our long-term vision of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat”, Engr. Catolos added.

During the forum, the topics presented were the financial and skills development assistance facilities and programs of selected government agencies and lending institutions in the region such as the NEDA Region 2, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The 1-day activity culminated with an open forum where the participants were able raise their issues and concerns relative to topics presented by each resource speaker. #Development Research Division, NEDA Region 02.