Press release

Sun Life Foundation Expands Sun Pera-Aralan to Reach More Public School Teachers

Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) is expanding its efforts to help public school teachers secure their finances as it launches a new batch of participants for Sun Pera-Aralan, its flagship financial management program.

Conducted in collaboration with AHA! Behavioral Design, Sun Pera-Aralan now covers all 16 Schools Division Offices (SDO) in the National Capital Region (NCR), including Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Makati, Malabon Manila, Marikina, Quezon City, Taguig-Pateros, Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan, Pasay, Navotas, Las Pinas, Caloocan, and Valenzuela. This brings the total number of participants to 32,439.

The new participants were formally welcomed to the program through an interactive virtual launch dubbed “Sine-Save,” a movie-themed event that took them through the different emotions and experiences in one’s financial journey. The participants played fun games that highlighted the importance of sound financial habits. They were also introduced to Peso Sobre, Sun Pera-Aralan’s budgeting system designed to aid in the proper allocation of one’s monthly salary.

“I strongly believe that financial literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic matters more than ever,” says Ms. Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin, Schools Division Superintendent of Pasig SDO. “The Sun Pera-Aralan Financial Management Program is a unique ‘financial journey’ because it employs behavioral design which is one way of influencing us to develop a positive and practical financial habits,” she concluded.

All Sun Pera-Aralan participants are also provided access to an online support group via Facebook, where they can interact, share success stories, and encourage one another to be faithful in practicing their Peso Sobre allocations.

“Dati kung ano ang luho yun ang bibilhin, at mahilig ako manglibre ng mga kaibigan,” admits Teacher Jennelyn from Doña Rosario Elementary School “Narealize ko na hindi pala dapat ganun sa lahat ng oras, lalo na nung dumating ang pandemic,” she concluded.

“We are truly inspired by the teachers’ overwhelmingly positive response to Sun Pera-Aralan,” says Mr. Alex Narciso, president of Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) and the Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. “Nevertheless, we firmly believe that there is still more to be done for our teachers, who tirelessly mold our children so they can have a better future. Sun Life Foundation remains committed to this mission.”

Sun Pera-Aralan has been recognized by various organizations for its efforts to promote financial management among teachers. Its latest accolade was the Most Outstanding Stakeholder Award given by the Schools Division Office of Quezon City for pioneering a behavioral-based financial management program.