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Filipinos’ financial literacy needs more push, Home Credit survey reveals

January 30, 2022 11:09 a.m.

The pandemic pushed many Filipinos to be mindful of their personal finances. However, there’s still immense concern on the state of financial literacy in the country. 

Both the 2015 World Bank (WB) survey and Central Bank’s 2019 financial inclusion survey revealed that only half of Filipino adults correctly answered financial literacy questions. 

This was supported by a survey from Home Credit where only 10% of the respondents correctly answered questions that test their knowledge on various financial concepts. 

The said survey was drawn from the consumer finance company’s self-crafted financial literacy quiz found in the My Home Credit App. 

A two-part quiz, it offers users a chance to answer a series of questions involving personal finance and other financial literacy items. 

To get an in-depth analysis of the quiz results, here’s a breakdown of the findings for each question: 
Findings of Quiz 1: Basics of Budgeting, Digital Literacy, and Cybersecurity 

More than 25,000 respondents took the first quiz that covers topics on basics of budgeting, digital literacy, and cybersecurity.

Within May to December 2021, the respondents mostly belong to the age group of 25-39 years old and 63% or majority are female. 

From the results, only 10% got all correct answers from the six questions.

When asked about managing finances, almost half (as many as 10,000) did not apply the ideal saving formula in their monthly budget; they prioritize expenses first and save what is left. 

On interest computation, 57% got the correct answer and the remaining half either got the wrong computation or does not know how to answer.

On a related question about inflation, respondents were asked about the impact of inflation and only 41.8% had the right understanding of its effects on their purchasing power and borrowing decisions. 

Filipinos seemed to be more knowledgeable on investments and risk diversification. 

When asked whether they will spread their money to multiple investments or focus on just one, almost 73% chose to put it into multiple investments to limit their losses, 22.5% for one investment and 4.6% do not know the answer.

Aside from inflation and basic numeracy concepts, cybersecurity and safety are also one of the concepts that are not well-understood by the takers with only 43.4% getting the correct answer – a number slightly lower than 47.8% before the covered period. 

On the flip side, most respondents aced the question on what tasks can be done using digital financial tools at 97%.

The social distancing measures brought by the pandemic might be a huge factor on how well-versed Filipinos have become in using fintech tools for daily transactions. 

In summary, results show that the respondents’ knowledge on all financial literacy concepts mentioned above are in the intermediate level with scores falling under 3 to 4 out of 6.

Basic numeracy, inflation, and cybersecurity and safety are the least understood concepts as indicated in the survey. 

Findings of Quiz 2: The Basics of Budgeting, Saving and Borrowing

The second leg of the financial literacy quiz zoomed in on the basics: budgeting, saving and borrowing.

Launched in September, it covers the period of launch until September, there are over 19,000 responses, with more females attempting to take the quiz and from the age group of 25-39 years old. 

The first three questions concentrated on how to properly plan a monthly budget and how to compute for an emergency fund.

Most quiz takers (66.8%) know that every month, they should at least make a budget plan and 88.4% know that the ideal amount of emergency fund should cover 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses.

However, only ¼ of users know how to set a SMART Financial goal. 

Regarding the basics of borrowing, almost all (95%) of quiz takers know that paying bills on time every month can help improve their credit score.

A total of 77.1% also answered that a consumer finance company is an institution that could help them avail cash or product loans.

On the similar topic of loan application, 83% knows the concept of loan repayment but only half of respondents know what a cooling off period in a loan is about; 65% knows that there are different ways that could help them approve their loans (such as preparing requirements ahead of time, borrowing an amount that you can pay, etc). 

Looking at the findings of the second quiz, majority of Filipinos have a proper understanding of the basics of some financial concepts but would need guidance on comprehending more specific terms.

Regardless, the results of the second quiz show that the level of financial literacy in the country is promising and would continue to improve if taught properly. 

This is where companies advocating for financial literacy come in. One of which is Home Credit Philippines, a longtime financial provider and financial educator both in global and domestic markets.

Through Wais sa Home, their financial and digital literacy program, they address the concerns revealed in the survey through various initiatives and activities aimed at driving financial inclusion and raising financial literacy standards amongst Filipinos. 

“Our business model and the focal point of our corporate social responsibility efforts is centered on responsible lending. We want to help create responsible borrowers and good payers through financial education and digital financial literacy,” says Home Credit Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Sheila Paul. 

To reach a wider audience and have a steady source of important financial and digital literacy concepts, Home Credit is launching its Wais sa Home website soon to allow more people to gain knowledge on basic money management and digital skills. 

NEWS

DITO delivers superior network performance, turning digital aspirations into possibilities

8:11 p.m. August 28, 2025

DITO Telecommunity showcased how superior connectivity transforms Filipino digital aspirations into achievable realities during the successful media launch of the telco’s latest campaign, Kaya DITO, held at Manila House, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. 

Built on True 5G standalone technology and as validated by a global leader in mobile analytics and insights, Opensignal, as the Philippines’ Fastest Mobile Network, DITO’s ecosystem proves that the Filipino telecommunity’s demand for seamless network connectivity, value-driven services and unified digital experience aren’t distant possibilities, but today’s basic expectations—this challenges what the telco industry has long normalized.

“For too long, outages, dropped calls, and overpriced data have been treated as normal. Let us say it bluntly: It is not normal. Every Filipino has limitless potential when equipped with the right tools, and the game is now changing since DITO has joined the fray and taken up the cause to disrupt the status quo—to deliver inclusive, next-gen technology to the  Filipino people. “Kaya DITO!” is our battle cry to symbolically break that cycle, because we truly believe that Filipinos deserve better,” shared by DITO Telecommunity President Eric Alberto in the event.

The Telco that Truly Takes Care of its Users 

DITO’s prepaid solutions eliminate the frustration of wasted data through Level-Up Packs with ViLTE technology, making DITO the primary telco offering unlimited DITO-to-DITO HD video calls and unli mobile calls. Combined with Viber and Prime Video inclusions and flexible data packages with longer validity periods, users can now maximize their every peso without worrying about abruptly expiring data allocations.

The Telco that Offers Value-Packed Postpaid Plans

DITOFlexPlan 888 redefines what postpaid should offer—comprehensive inclusions and generous data at prices that make sense for Filipino budgets. Whether you choose SIM-only or device bundles, these plans prove that premium network performance doesn’t have to break the bank, empowering users to pursue their goals without connectivity compromises.

The Telco that Brings True 5G Home Internet Convenience 

DITO WoWFi Pro 365 makes home connectivity effortless with a year-long unlimited connection that works when you need it. Families enjoy the convenience of reliable internet for work, study, and entertainment without the inconvenience of data top-ups and complicated installations; just network performance that simplifies your digital life at home.  Just ask any of your relatives and friends who have already ditched ordinary WiFi and jumped onto WoWFi— they will tell you what you’ve been missing out on.

The Telco that Built Everything You Need in One App

The DITO App represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive digital platforms, built from the ground up to handle the entire customer journey. From SIM and load purchase to account management and a wide range of OTT apps, users enjoy complete digital control with custom special offers, DITO Rewards points, and 24/7 customer support—managing everything while earning exclusive benefits.

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NEWS

Pay with GCash and turn daily payments into big wins

11:39 a.m. August 27, 2025

GCash, the country’s leading finance super app, is making everyday payments more rewarding with “Pay It, Win It”, where every ₱50 spent on GCash builds your chances to win over ₱20 million worth of exciting rewards.

With “Pay It, Win It”, everyday payments turn into extraordinary wins with prizes designed to match the passion and lifestyle of all GCash users. Every two weeks, new and bigger rewards drop, bringing you closer to the life upgrade you’ve been dreaming of.
GCash takes it further by listening to what its users truly value and showing up where they are. Whether it’s in the daily grind, their fandoms, or their passions, rewards don’t just excite, but they resonate in everyday life.

Upgrade Your Everyday
Every peso spent gives users a chance to win must-have prizes that can upgrade their everyday lives– from driving home a brand-new BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic or zipping through the city on a Yamaha NMAX, to bringing homea Samsung Smart TV.

A Trip to the K-Land 
For all dedicated and passionate K-pop fans, you can turn your bills and shopping receipts into plane tickets, taking you a step closer to your bias.  Win a trip for two to Seoul or Busan and make your ultimate K-dream a reality.

Level Up Your Play
For PC and console gamers, leveling up has never been this thrilling. Win the latest gaming console (PlayStation™ 5), a high-performance gaming laptop (ASUS ROG Strix G16), and the ultimate gaming phone (ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro), because every gamer knows that better gear leads to better performance.

Joining is simple; just head over to the “Pay It, Win It” page by clicking the “Tap for Promos” banner on your GCash app and choosing a prize to register. Every ₱50 spent instantly counts as a raffle entry.

Pay any way you like, whether it’s scanning or generating a QR code, paying with your GCash Card, paying online, buying load or paying bills inside the GCash app, paying with GCash Tap to Pay, or generating a QR with your Huawei Watch. No extra forms, no fuss, just keep using GCash everyday.

Winners are drawn weekly and announced every Friday through the official social media channels of GCash and in-app promo page. All winners will be notified via email, and in-app alerts.

With “Pay It, Win It,” GCash proves that every payment isn’t just a flow of funds from users’ wallets; it’s a step toward progress, a connection to your passion, and a chance to unlock rewards that truly matter.  For more information about GCash, visit www.new.gcash.com.

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NEWS

‘Gender dimension’ will make urban spaces more inclusive, useful — expert

11:12 a.m. August 26, 2025

Urban planners must consider the “gender dimension” to make public spaces more inclusive and allow better use of infrastructures designed to make users move comfortably, according to a US-based expert supporting movements for greater public mobility.

Benjie de la Peña, CEO of the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and chair of the Global Network for Popular Transportation, said buildings, walkways or sidewalks, and transport terminals should not be mere infrastructures as they must be public spaces where people should be able to move comfortably.

Engineers tend to think of efficiency and movement alone and they don’t think about the waiting part, right? … It’s always about the moving and not about the waiting. But in a good system, you think about how it is to wait and dwell,” De la Peña told participants of the Philippine Mobility Series 2025’s “Mobility Chat” recently.

For instance, De la Peña said, women and caregivers have different trip patterns from men and regular office workers, hence, the significance to create mobility hubs for women, as well as caregivers.

In their analysis, De la Peña noted that in most cities, available public transport services go to the employment areas and serves particular times, but that’s not how women and caregivers move. 

“They sometimes have to stop over at school to drop off the kids, or on the way home, stop over and pick up a grocery, or if they’re caring for someone older, they have to take them to the doctor or to the pharmacy. And so, none of the public transportation systems are particularly friendly to that,” said the Filipino urban transport expert.

“This is precisely why Grab in the Philippines is supporting the Philippine Mobility Series 2025. We need to hear more civilian voices. We need a platform to allow exchanges of ideas to flow in order to improve mobility in the country,” according to Booey Bonifacio of Grab.

After interviewing 100 women aged 11 to 95 on their transportation needs and challenges, De la Peña noted how the framework they designed had radically changed when gender dimension was added.

If we design for the people with the most challenges, it works better for everyone else,” De la Peña told the “Mobility Chat” organized by AltMobility PH and co-presented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and in partnership with Grab and the Move As One Coalition.

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