Project RISE to financial security

Have you ever gotten a “business proposal" promising to double your money, or a text saying you've won a prize but need to deposit a small sum first? Sadly, scams are so common, reminding us that financial literacy is essential.

- FLOR G. TARRIELA

Education has always been called the great equalizer. It empowers people to break the cycle of poverty, gain confidence, and improve their lives. Today, financial education is becoming just as vital-helping Filipinos make informed choices, avoid scams, and invest for a better future.

Recently, I attended the launch of Project RISE (Retail Investor and Shareholder Education) and the turnover of the SEC Digital Library. Guest speaker Francis Lim, then a trustee of SharePHIL, was part of Project RISE's early days. He was delighted, as he never imagined he'd be advancing the cause of financial literacy now that he is SEC Chairman. He said, "Many have the will and resources, but not always the knowledge or confidence to make the right choices, and that's what Project RISE is about: closing that gap."

What is Project RISE? Its mission is simple yet powerful: to make finance understandable, practical, and accessible to everyone. It aims to demystify the world of investing, encouraging responsible habits that can help build a stronger, more inclusive economy-from the grassroots to the boardroom. The event highlighted the first set of Project RISE educational videos, which serve as easy-to-understand guides to retail investing.