SOGOD, Southern Leyte — More than 1,000 students participated in a financial inclusion initiative at Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) on Aug. 20, with 528 transaction accounts opened during the activity.

The onboarding event was led by Youth Financial Inclusion (YFI) Ambassadors from the Visayas in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), marking the second transaction account opening activity in the region under the YFI Ambassadors Program.

YFI Ambassadors are student leaders from universities and colleges who promote financial inclusion in their respective communities. With guidance from the BSP, they develop and implement initiatives such as account-opening activities and financial literacy sessions.

Participating financial institutions assisted students in opening transaction accounts, which provide an entry point to formal financial services such as payments, savings, credit, insurance and investments.

The BSP also conducted financial inclusion and literacy discussions during the event, emphasizing the importance of having access to appropriate financial products and services alongside the knowledge and skills needed to make sound financial decisions.

The latest activity builds on an earlier onboarding initiative held at SLSU in August 2025 by the first cohort of YFI Visayas Ambassadors, which resulted in the opening of 551 transaction accounts.

The YFI initiative forms part of the agenda of the Financial Inclusion Steering Committee, chaired by the BSP, and supports the strategic objectives of the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022-2028.

The program focuses on expanding access to formal financial services and strengthening financial capability among underserved and priority sectors, including young Filipinos.

The activity was supported by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and participating financial service providers.

The BSP said it will continue working with public and private sector partners to advance financial inclusion and financial health, helping Filipinos gain access to formal financial services while developing healthier financial practices.