Smart taps ARFPP for financial literacy

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc. (SMART) has tapped the Association of Registered Financial Planners in the Philippines (ARFPP) to give partner communities free financial literacy and management training under its Smart A.K.O. (Angat Komunidad at Organisasyon) program.

SMART, through its Community Care program, is strengthening linkages with its communities through relevant projects like Smart A.K.O., which is targeted at giving students, skilled workers, businessmen, overseas Filipino workers and rural cooperatives the skills to better manage their financial resources.

SMART customer care manager Mary Ann Lacson said that the telecommunications company helps partner communities to manage resources more effectively and wisely so that they can secure the future of their loved ones.

ARFPP member and trainor Alvin Tabañag described the program as “a very helpful tool for Filipinos to become more aware of the how-to’s and the importance of effective financial resources management in securing their future.”

Tabañag, an author of a financial guidebook, added that with Smart A.K.O., more people will benefit from financial literacy without having to shell out money for the high fees usually associated with financial management seminars.

Under the agreement, ARFFP members will equip SMART Community Care specialists with the skills needed to conduct free financial literacy and management lectures to partner communities and organizations.

SMART employees from the North Luzon, South Luzon, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao units have already undergone training.

So far, SMART employees, together with Tabañag, have already conducted free financial lectures at the Caloocan City Hall and Philippine Airforce-Villamor Airbase.