THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expressed commitment to promote a financial system responsive to the needs of Persons with Disability (PWDs) as part of its financial inclusion agenda.
In its weekly virtual briefing last Thursday, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said the central bank is in constant dialogue with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). He added that the BSP, in coordination with the NCDA, also conducts information sessions catering to the PWD sector.
“PWDs represent a key segment of our financial inclusion agenda considering the unique barriers and challenges they face when conducting financial transactions,” Diokno said.
“By fostering a PWD-friendly financial system, more Filipinos will be in a position to overcome restrictions brought about by the pandemic and to take advantage of opportunities in the post-Covid economy,” he added.
The central bank has earlier issued regulations on non-discriminatory practices by BSP-supervised financial institutions. The BSP also issued a risk-based customer acceptance and identification policy to make account opening simpler for PWDs.
Last year, the central bank also incorporated additional tactile marks to banknotes for easier identification of different denominations by the visually-impaired.
There are 9.24 million Filipinos with disabilities, the BSP said using a base of 77 million Filipino adults in 2020.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes