In line with the celebration of the 2021 Economic and Financial Literacy (EFL) Week, the NEDA Regional Office (NRO) in MIMAROPA conducted a webinar on economic and financial literacy focusing on how the COVID-19 pandemic challenged and expanded people’s understanding of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay on November 19 through Zoom video conference and Facebook Live.

Around 245 individuals from regional line agencies, local government units, private sector, and students and faculty members from Mindoro State University, Occidental Mindoro State College, Marinduque State College, Romblon State University, Palawan State University, and Western Philippines University participated in the webinar.

The activity aimed to provide economic and financial literacy and recognize the growth potential of the country through a financially literate people who make sound financial decisions, mobilize savings, and contribute ideas on improving economic and financial policies and programs.

​​​​​​​“For our forum today, we aim to provide insights on the shift to digitalization and on how we continue to expand and improve the access to economic opportunities in the new normal,” said NRO MIMAROPA Regional Director (RD) Agustin C. Mendoza, in his opening remarks. He emphasized how the pandemic greatly influenced our economic and social activities which government has been responding to for the past two years.

RD Cheryl C. Ortega of the Department of Information and Communications Technology–Luzon Cluster 3 discussed the role of digital transformation in helping people cope with the pandemic and in supporting business and service continuity, while RD Joel B. Valera of the Department of Trade and Industry MIMAROPA talked about the growth and the potential of online business in the region and the evolving role of social media in e-commerce. ​​​​​​​

During the open forum, participants inquired about the challenges in the region in terms of digital transformation and its inclusiveness especially for the marginalized sector of our society.

In his closing remarks, OIC Assistant RD Bernardino A. Atienza, Jr. of NRO MIMAROPA encouraged the participants to use what they have learned from the forum and share them also with their family, colleagues, and friends to promote sound financial decisions that lead to financial inclusion. He also urged the participants to continue to work together in achieving planned targets for the development of the region. ​​​​​​​
The EFL Week is celebrated pursuant to Republic Act No. 10922, or the Economic and Financial Literacy Act, which declares the second week of November as EFL Week. This year’s theme is “A Glimpse into Ambisyon Natin 2040: What to Expect in the New Normal.”