status as an agent of economic growth. ladies and gentlemen. the bsp has been fostering a more liberal regulatory environment, built on strong prudential supervision foundation to promote a more inclusive and accessible financial system. among others, we have liberalized branching to boost the efficient delivery of financial services, including microfinance, to areas with minimal access to banking services. altogether, these regulatory measures should give rural banks scope to participate more fully in economic development. now, more than ever, we shall be relying on the collective support of industry players in working toward a stronger and more efficient rural banking system – one that is fully capable of mobilizing savings for a robust rural economy. to achieve this, let us work together to continue the reforms we have started to create greater confidence in the integrity and dependability of the country ’ s banking system. let us therefore resolve to strengthen our partnership for a more efficient, competitive and resilient banking system as a service to our people and our country. again, our congratulations to the officers and staff of onb! daghan salamat sa inyong tanan.

academic institutions to improve economic policy formulation and education. for the general public, we conduct lectures and seminars for them to understand the role of the bangko sentral in the philippine economy ; we also teach them how to recognize counterfeit currency ; and through the highly successful “ tulong barya para sa eskwela ” we teach our public the value of small things, including the barya, as the start of wealth creation. and of course, we respond to requests for information and resource persons from schools, institutions, and civic groups. with our eflc, we have created a one - stop center where researchers, students, visitors, and bsp staff may access data and information produced and acquired by the bangko sentral in the areas of central banking, economics and finance. we have a briefing room here where we can host various visitor groups. incorporating today ’ s technology, the eflc will provide information not only through conventional books and magazines, but also in various electronic formats such as cds, digitized books, and interactive learning modules. eflc will coordinate with other sectors and departments at the bangko sentral to consolidate materials for our economic and financial education program under this one - stop center. this will include digital archives of bsp video materials to make them accessible to the public. visitors may also buy bangko sentral publications and commemorative items here at the eflc. through the interactive modes of learning, including computer - based games and multi - media learning tools, eflc should inspire and excite visitors to learn more about economics and finance. it is possible, some of our visitors may even decide to become central bankers. but beyond the books and multi - media resources here, we envision eflc to serve as a regular forum for intellectual discourse that will inspire higher learning in the field of economics and finance. ladies and gentlemen. i am pleased to inform you that this eflc is just the first of a series ; our plan is to set up eflc ’ s at bangko sentral ’ s regional offices and branches. this is to provide equal opportunity for our people in the countryside equal access to our material and resources. actually, work has already started in operating the regional centers but we will expand their scope and services in the form of traveling exhibits and operation of regional hubs to ensure that our electronic resources are accessible to our visitors in the regions. expanding our network and enhancing regional facilities will ensure that timely economic and financial