Financial literacy continues to be a major concern in the Philippines. Ranked among the lowest 30 of 144 countries, only one in four Filipino adults demonstrate financial literacy, according to a global study. With financial stress increasingly affecting productivity, TELUS Digital Philippines is stepping up with programs that empower team members to take control of their financial futures.
As part of National Financial Literacy Month, the company hosted Pera Paraan, a financial wellness event inspired by insights from an internal survey. Financial advocates Charm De Leon and Ginelle Sequitin joined TELUS leaders Ria Lopez and Michelle Trinidad to share practical tips on smarter money management and maximizing employee benefits.
An internal survey of over 1,200 TELUS Digital Philippines team members revealed that 63% feel confident in their financial decision-making—35.7% moderately so, and 27.3% highly confident. Still, younger employees, particularly from Gen Z, expressed a need for more support: 20.5% reported uncertainty, with 14.2% feeling tentative and 6.3% seeking deeper financial education.
“Financial resilience starts with small, consistent steps, and at TELUS Digital Philippines, we’re here to guide our team members through those first steps and beyond,” noted Ria Lopez, Director for Financial Planning and Analysis at TELUS Digital Philippines. “By combining smart personal financial habits with accessible benefits like our Savings Arrangement for Financial Empowerment program or SAFE, Early Wage Access or EWA, and financial counseling, among others, we’re giving our people the confidence and tools to thrive.”
The survey showed that 49.8% of team members experience financial stress occasionally—revealing a gap in preparedness for unexpected expenses. This opens the door for more robust financial education and support to strengthen long-term resilience.
Michelle Trinidad, Human Resources Director at TELUS Digital Philippines, sees this as a pivotal opportunity for positive change. “Even though the majority of our team members might not be experiencing acute financial distress, they’re not yet fully confident in their financial decision-making either,” Trinidad explains.
“By hosting events and learning opportunities that ignite meaningful conversations about financial literacy and coupling these with our comprehensive suite of financial wellness programs, we’re sharing information and equipping our team members with practical, actionable strategies for long-term financial security,” she added.
At the Pera Paraan event, financial advisor Ginelle Sequitin emphasized that empowerment starts with accessibility. “It’s not just about budgets or spreadsheets,” she said. “It’s about making your money work for the life you want and using tools and habits that fit your lifestyle.”
Debt management emerged as a key need, especially among Gen Z. In response, TELUS Digital Philippines offers professional debt counseling through its Employee Assistance Program.
“Knowing the difference between good and bad debt, how interest works, and how to manage credit wisely can completely change someone’s financial path,” Charm De Leon, founder of Ready2AdultPH, said.
TELUS Digital Philippines continues to expand its suite of financial wellness offerings based on team feedback. The Savings Arrangement for Financial Empowerment (SAFE) program, which integrates savings, investment, retirement planning, and employer matching, provides a strong foundation for all employees—regardless of experience. Additional perks include HMO coverage with dependent benefits, earned wage access, merchant discounts, pharmacy support, and educational assistance.
