VIA GRAPHIC PLUS | MANILA, Philippines — Manulife Philippines, the local arm of leading international financial services firm Manulife, and Manulife Global Solutions (MGS), the company’s global solutions hub serving customers and colleagues across international markets, are advancing their commitment to supporting financial resilience and prioritizing health and well-being through expanded community investment initiatives focused on financial literacy and access to safe water.
The latest initiatives include the expansion of Peso Smart, Manulife Philippines’ flagship financial literacy program for public school students, and the launch of MGS’ three-year partnership with Waves for Water Philippines, which aims to improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in underserved communities.
Supporting financial resilience at an early age with Manulife Peso Smart
For School Year 2026-2027, Peso Smart has expanded to 26 public schools nationwide, broadening the program’s reach with a target of educating 2,700 learners within the school communities. Designed to help Filipinos build practical money management skills, the program introduces concepts such as budgeting, saving, responsible spending, and goal setting through engaging and age-appropriate learning activities.
“Financial resilience is one of the foundations of a longer and more secure life,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “Through Peso Smart, we’re helping young Filipinos build the knowledge, confidence, and habits to make informed financial decisions early. As we expand 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.”
Beginning August 2026, Peso Smart was also introduced in three farm schools in Negros Occidental through a partnership among Manulife Philippines, the Schools Division Office of Negros Occidental, and the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF). The pilot schools are Cansilayan Farm School in Murcia, Manghanoy Farm School in La Castellana, and Eva J. Montilla Farm School in Cauayan, extending the program’s reach to learners in agricultural communities and helping make financial education more accessible to diverse student populations.
Building on the program’s growing momentum, Manulife Philippines used this year’s launch to recognize its top-performing Peso Smart schools from School Year 2025-2026: Ilugin Elementary School in Pasig City, Guadalupe Elementary School in Cebu City, and Cabantian Elementary School in Davao City—each awarded with laptop computers for advancing financial literacy among students and teachers.
Prioritizing health and well-being with access to clean water and sanitation
MGS’ (formerly known as Manulife Business Processing Services), newly launched partnership with Waves for Water Philippines kicked off in July through a series of community activities in Barangays San Rafael in Rodriguez, Rizal, Maly in San Mateo, Rizal, and Bankal in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
The partnership launches a three-year Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) program to improve access to safe water and promote healthier living in vulnerable communities. Over three years, Manulife and Waves for Water Philippines aim to deliver at least 450 water filtration kits, six rainwater catchment facilities, 26 water-efficient toilets with septic tanks, 60 standalone handwashing stations, along with hygiene promotion, river rehabilitation, and environmental stewardship initiatives—collectively benefiting more than 20,000 Filipinos.
“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 wellbeing through practical, community-based solutions that create lasting impact.”
The program’s initial phase has delivered 184 water filtration kits and three rainwater catchment facilities to more than 1,400 households—including the Dumagat indigenous community in Rizal, families in Cebu, and those relying on improvised water systems in vulnerable areas.
The launch events also gave communities practical training to support long-term use of the systems. Beneficiaries joined sanitation and hygiene orientations, filtration demonstrations, and hands-on assembly with Manulife colleague-volunteers, learning how to operate and maintain the systems while reinforcing the importance of safe water.
Patrick Manuel, Country Director, Waves for Water Philippines shared: “Manulife has been an invaluable partner in helping us push Waves for Water’s mission forward. Our work also aligns closely with Manulife’s vision of longevity: helping people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives.”
The initiatives support the objectives of the Manulife Longevity Institute, which brings together research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community partnerships, to drive action to help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives.
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