West Visayas State University (WVSU) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Iloilo Extension Office officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) today, August 13, at the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) conference room to strengthen financial literacy, investment awareness, and responsible entrepreneurship within the university community.
The signing ceremony was led by Atty. Ma. Cristina T. Montelibano, SEC Iloilo Extension Office Director II, and Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, WVSU President.
Dr. Villaruz expressed optimism that the partnership will further strengthen WVSU’s commitment to producing financially literate graduates who can make informed economic and entrepreneurial decisions. Atty. Montelibano, in turn, affirmed SEC’s dedication to fostering financial empowerment through sustained education campaigns in academic institutions.
The partnership is anchored on the SEC Communication Advocacy Network (SEC-CAN!) Program, which promotes investor protection and financial education nationwide. It aims to empower students with knowledge on sound investment practices, fraud prevention, and compliance with corporate regulations.
This initiative builds on earlier engagements between WVSU and SEC, including the 2025 SEC Can! Investor Education Forum held last February 28, where Business Administration and Cooperatives Management students from CBM attended a learning session at the University Research Conference Room. The event themed “Wais sa Pinansya, Sigurado sa Kinabukasan,” featuring insights from the SEC Iloilo Extension Office, RCBC Bank, GCash, and the National Bureau of Investigation – Western Visayas Regional Office 6 (NBI-WEVRO6).
Also present were Dr. Ma. Asuncion Dequilla, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Raymund Moreno, Dean of the College of Business and Management (CBM); Prof. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, ILLO Director; Atty. Josefa Maria A. Castro-Alfabeto, SEC Securities Counsel II; and Ms. Jola Lyn C. Tingson, SEC Information Officer II.
With this formalized partnership, WVSU positions itself not only as a center for academic excellence but also as an active advocate for financial empowerment.
By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO
