In a united effort to equip students to become responsible and investment-savvy citizens, the Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) partnered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the 2025 SEC CAN! Investor Education Forum held at the NISU Gymnasium on October 8, 2025.

 

The forum highlighted the importance of equipping young Filipinos with financial knowledge amid the rising cases of investment scams and the growing need for economic independence among students.

 

 

Delivering her message on behalf of University President Dr. Bobby D. Gerardo, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Gilda E. Deguma said the event served as a bridge between academic learning and real-world financial applications. She also underscored the university’s commitment to empowering students through financial education.

 

“Financial education is no longer an option—it is a necessity,” she said. “Through this partnership, we aim to nurture a generation that is financially literate, economically independent, and socially responsible.”

 

Dr. Deguma further noted that the event was more than just a gathering of minds but a testament to the shared commitment to empower Filipino youth with financial literacy, integrity, and sound investment principles.

 

 

Meanwhile, Atty. Ma. Cristina T. Montelibano, Director II of the SEC–Iloilo Extension Office, encouraged students to create personal financial roadmaps aligned with their life goals, emphasizing that financial literacy extends beyond budgeting and saving.

 

“It empowers us to make informed decisions about our money at every stage of life,” Atty. Montelibano said.

 

Topics discussed during the forum included personal finance management, financial options, and identifying investment scams, with speakers from SEC, RCBC, Sun Life Grepa Financials, GCash Health Management, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI–WEVRO VI).

 

Moreover, the event also recognized beneficiaries of government educational aid programs, including 138 students under the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) and 1,010 students under the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES).

 

Highlighting the university’s commitment to holistic education, the 2025 SEC CAN! Investor Education Forum reflected NISU’s continuing drive to empower students beyond academics, preparing them not only to earn but also to manage and grow their resources wisely.