Officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission - Cebu Extension Office (SEC-CEBEO) and Cebu Normal University (CNU) during the Memorandum of Agreement signing for the conduct of financial literacy sessions for CNU students and faculty. (Photo from Cebu Normal University)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA7) — Students of Cebu Normal University (CNU) will now be more aware of how to avoid falling victim to investment scams after the institution partnered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Cebu Extension Office for a financial literacy campaign.
CNU president Daniel A. Ariaso, Sr. said the financial literacy drive will help their students learn how to manage their finances and also be informed on how to counter investment scams through dialogues and seminars conducted by SEC.
“This is all about consultation, dialogue, training, seminars, and then orientation with our students about financial literacy, how to counter itong mga sinasabi nating (what we call) scams,” Ariaso said.
Ariaso emphasized that students must first learn the importance of savings before any expenditure.
“Problema ng Pinoy, ‘pag may pera, gasto lang nang gasto, pag-ekonomista ka, ang una mong gagawin is to have savings. Out of what is left that is what you’re going to spend because dapat ang savings ang unahin,” Ariaso said.
(The problem with Filipinos, when one has money, one just spends it. If one is an economist, the first thing you do is to have savings. Out of what is left, that is what you’re going to spend because savings should come first.)
Ariaso noted that students and faculty who attended the financial literacy seminars can also share what they learned with their friends and family.
“They can relate to their friends, their brothers and sisters, parents and then we can have a multiplier effect as far as the program is concerned,” Ariaso said.
SEC has already conducted two seminars on financial literacy and investment scams at CNU on March 28 and April 4, 2025 attended by a total of 600 students
Financially aware and independent
Gemaeka Juban, a 22-year old graduating student of Bachelor of Science in Education at CNU, said the financial literacy campaign helped her to be financially aware and independent.
“As a young adult and a graduating student, I am now responsible for my own expenses, which is why this program is very helpful,” Juban said.
After attending one of SEC’s financial literacy sessions, Juban said she is now more confident when it comes to handling her finances.
She has also learned more about the investment scams and how to spot a legitimate company.
“I can say that I am already aware of how to save wisely. I am now well informed about investment scams and how to spot a legitimate company that will help me grow financially,” Juban said.
First university to partner with SEC
CNU is the first university in Cebu to partner with SEC on the financial literacy and countering investment scam campaign.
This is in line with SEC’s Communication, Advocacy, and Network (SEC CAN) initiative launched in 2020 to promote investor education in the country. (JJT/PIA 7)
