PRESS RELEASE
WDC-12-2026
20 March 2026
Embassy Press and Information Section
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Migrant Workers Office–Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO-OWWA) of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), conducted a digital financial literacy webinar on 13 March 2026, which was attended by 43 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from various parts of the Americas and Caribbean.
The webinar, entitled “Iwas-Scam Para sa Ligtas na Kinabukasan: A Webinar on Digital Financial Literacy and BSP E-Learning Academy,” aimed to equip OFWs with practical knowledge and tools to protect themselves from online scams and financial fraud amid the growing use of digital platforms for financial transactions.
In his opening remarks, Labor Attaché Saul De Vries emphasized the importance of awareness in combating financial fraud underscoring that knowledge is the strongest protection against scams. “When we have the knowledge to protect our information and hard-earned money, then we will be able to protect ourselves, our families, our communities and our future,” he said.
Atty. Clarence Joseph Zosa of the BSP’s Economic and Financial Learning Office (EFLO) served as the webinar resource speaker. He highlighted digital financial literacy as an essential 21st-century skill, noting that more individuals now rely on digital platforms for financial transactions. He underscored the importance of understanding one’s digital footprint, explaining that everyday online activities, such as social media use, online shopping, and digital banking, leave personal data that can be exploited by scammers and cybercriminals if not properly managed.
He also discussed key cyber hygiene practices to ensure safe and secure digital transactions. These include keeping devices and applications updated, using strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, downloading applications only from trusted sources, and regularly monitoring financial accounts for suspicious activity. Participants were advised to promptly report any irregularities to their financial institutions or through BSP’s Online Buddy (BOB) and other consumer protection channels.
The webinar also introduced the BSP E-Learning Academy, which offers free and accessible online modules on financial literacy topics such as budgeting, investing, debt management, and fraud prevention, providing OFWs with continuing opportunities to strengthen their financial skills.
In her closing message, Welfare Officer Mae Codilla reiterated the importance of financial awareness in the digital age to safeguard OFWs’ hard-earned income. She encouraged the participants to remain engaged in future financial literacy initiatives organized by MWO-OWWA.
The webinar formed part of MWO-OWWA’s continuing financial literacy program for OFWs. The activity was conducted in line with the celebration of the 2026 National Women’s Month, recognizing that Filipino migrant women workers comprise more than half of the OFW population worldwide.
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Atty. Clarence Joseph Zosa of the BSP-EFLO served as resource speaker, providing participants with essential knowledge on digital financial literacy and promoting access to the BSP E-Learning Academy.