The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), together with the Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. (MCPI) and Citi Foundation, honored outstanding champions of financial inclusion during the 4th Digital Financial Inclusion Awards held on December 12, 2025, at the BSP Assembly Hall.
The annual awarding ceremony recognized three microfinance institutions and 17 microentrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence in expanding access to digital financial services, particularly through the use of cashless solutions such as QR payments.
The event highlighted how digital tools are helping small businesses grow, scale, and better serve their communities.
Honored under the Microfinance Institution category were GRF Hublag Microfinance Foundation Inc., MASS-SPECC Cooperative Development Center, and Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc., organizations lauded for their continued efforts to bring inclusive financial services to underserved sectors across the country.
Meanwhile, the Microentrepreneur category celebrated 17 individuals whose stories reflect resilience and innovation in the digital economy. One of the most moving moments of the program came from RJ Dean Chavez, who delivered an inspirational message recounting how her entrepreneurial journey began with just ₱5,000 in capital and eventually grew into three successful restaurants.
She also shared her commitment to inclusive employment, noting that her businesses prioritize hiring senior citizens and persons with special needs.
RJ Dean candidly spoke about overcoming hardship, including being scammed of ₱40,000 early in her journey. Rather than giving up, she chose to rebuild an experience that resonated deeply with fellow entrepreneurs in attendance.
The program concluded with a testimonial from Jose Ma. Concepcion III, founder of Go Negosyo and Chair of ASEAN BAC Philippines, emphasized the importance of empowering micro and small entrepreneurs through digital finance, mentorship, and supportive policies.
By recognizing institutions and individuals at the forefront of digital financial inclusion, the 4th Digital Financial Inclusion Awards reaffirmed the shared commitment of BSP, MCPI, and Citi Foundation to build a more inclusive financial ecosystem. (with reports from Lau Balocos)
