The activity forms part of the University’s continuing efforts, strongly supported by Chancellor Bai Hejira Nefertiti M. Limbona, to strengthen employee well-being by enhancing financial awareness and responsible money management.

In her welcome message, Director Uko-Malim emphasized that financial literacy is essential not only for managing personal finances but also for improving overall well-being and workplace performance. She highlighted the HRMO’s commitment to equipping employees with practical knowledge that can help them make sound financial decisions.

The session’s resource speaker, Ms. Glecelle Mae S. Dela Cerna, Licensed Advisor and Manager at Insular Life Insurance Co. Ltd., together with her team, presented key financial principles, emphasizing how financial literacy enhances security, reduces stress, and supports future planning. She walked participants through assessing personal finances, tracking income, identifying unnecessary expenses, budgeting, and building emergency funds, highlighting discipline as essential for long-term stability.

Ms. Dela Cerna also discussed savings and investment strategies, clarified the difference between saving and investing, and introduced life and health insurance options, including Insular Life’s iCare program and its available branch locations. The session further covered retirement planning and debt management, enabling participants to distinguish good from bad debt, understand interest rates, and avoid common financial pitfalls.

To apply their learning, employees participated in a Financial Goal-Setting Workshop, where they identified their short-, medium-, and long-term financial goals and drafted corresponding action plans.

The orientation concluded with an open forum, allowing participants to raise questions and clarify concerns regarding personal finance, savings, investment options, and insurance matters.