Manulife Philippines has expanded its financial literacy program to 26 public schools for the school year 2026-2027, with a target of teaching 2,700 students how to manage money.
Peso Smart, the company’s flagship financial literacy program for public school students, covers budgeting, saving, responsible spending, and setting financial goals. The expansion brings the program to more communities, including three farm schools in Negros Occidental.
Manulife Philippines is the local arm of international financial services firm Manulife.
“Financial resilience is one of the foundations of a longer and more secure life,” said Rahul Hora, president and CEO, Manulife Philippines. “Through Peso Smart, we’re helping young Filipinos build the knowledge, confidence, and habits to make informed financial decisions early. We are expanding to more public schools and farm schools in Negros Occidental, bringing practical life skills to more learners in ways that can shape their opportunities and well-being for years to come.”
Peso Smart was introduced in August 2026 at Cansilayan Farm School in Murcia, Manghanoy Farm School in La Castellana, and Eva J. Montilla Farm School in Cauayan. The rollout is being conducted with the Schools Division Office of Negros Occidental and the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation.
Manulife Philippines also awarded laptops to Ilugin Elementary School in Pasig City, Guadalupe Elementary School in Cebu City, and Cabantian Elementary School in Davao City. The schools were recognized as the top-performing Peso Smart participants for School Year 2025-2026.
Manulife Global Solutions (MGS), the company’s global solutions hub serving customers and colleagues across international markets, began a three-year partnership with Waves for Water Philippines to improve access to safe water and sanitation.
The program aims to provide at least 450 water filtration kits, six rainwater catchment facilities, 26 water-efficient toilets with septic tanks, and 60 standalone handwashing stations. It is expected to benefit more than 20,000 Filipinos.
Its first phase has delivered 184 filtration kits and three rainwater catchment facilities to over 1,400 households in Rizal and Cebu, including members of the Dumagat indigenous community.
“Good health starts with access to life’s essentials, and clean water is among the most fundamental,” said Mark Woolfrey, head of Global Shared Services, Manulife Global Solutions. “Through our partnership with Waves for Water Philippines, we’re helping communities address critical water challenges while supporting healthier and more resilient futures. This collaboration reflects Manulife’s commitment to advancing health and well-being through practical, community-based solutions that create lasting impact.”
The projects form part of the Manulife Longevity Institute’s work to help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives.