MAKATI CITY — Building a sustainable livelihood requires more than earning an income; it also depends on knowing how to manage money, monitor expenses, and make sound financial decisions. These skills took center stage at Makati City Hall on November 11, 2026, as more than 100 participants gathered for the Economic and Financial Literacy Forum 2026. The activity brought together representatives from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Savers Club, and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Through discussions focused on everyday financial concerns, the forum sought to make practical money-management knowledge more accessible to entrepreneurs and households working toward greater financial stability.
Strengthening Financial Skills for Businesses and Households
Participants received guidance from financial and business resource speakers Dina Pagkalinawan, JD, MAP, EMBA, CMC, IPT, and Flloyd P. De La Cruz, CPA, EMBA. Their discussions covered financial wellness, business management, cash flow monitoring, and proper financial recordkeeping, addressing practices that can help individuals and entrepreneurs better understand where their money goes. One of the key lessons emphasized the importance of keeping personal and business finances separate, allowing business owners to track operating funds and household expenses more clearly. These topics are particularly relevant to small enterprises, where organized financial records and careful cash management can support daily operations and help owners make informed decisions about their businesses.
Financial Literacy as a Foundation for Long-Term Stability
The forum was organized through Makati’s International Relations Department (IRD), in collaboration with the Economic Enterprise Management Office (EEMO) and the Makati Cooperative Development Office (MCDO), as part of the 2026 Economic and Financial Literacy Week celebration. Anchored on the theme, “Kaalaman sa Ekonomiya at Pinansya: Sama-samang Pagsulong tungo sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Bukas para sa Bawat Pamilya,” the initiative highlights the role of financial education in strengthening both livelihoods and household decision-making. By bringing together entrepreneurs, savers, and 4Ps beneficiaries, the activity provided a shared learning space for people with different financial responsibilities and experiences. The initiative reinforces the value of informed budgeting, responsible money management, and practical financial habits in helping families and businesses prepare for future needs and build more secure economic foundations.
