NEWS l JFINEX-PUP Empowers PWD Students Through Project YOUnique

The Junior Financial Executives - PUP launched 'Project YOUnique: Yielding Opportunities and Understanding,' an outreach program for SPED students at Padre Burgos Elementary School in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Held on February 13, 2025, the initiative provided hands-on training in financial literacy, budgeting, and entrepreneurship to equip students with essential life skills.

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MANILA, Philippines – With a mission to champion inclusivity and financial empowerment, the Junior Financial Executives - PUP launched Project YOUnique: Yielding Opportunities and Understanding, an outreach program designed to equip students with disabilities with essential entrepreneurial and financial skills. 

A total of 42 students enrolled in the Special Education (SPED) Transition Program at Padre Burgos Elementary School benefited from a skills development initiative aimed at enhancing their financial literacy and daily living abilities. 

The event, held on February 13, 2025, from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, provided students with hands-on training in cooking, budgeting, and financial management. Designed to equip Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with essential life skills, the program emphasized self-sufficiency and financial independence. 

Beyond skill-building, the initiative sought to foster inclusivity and challenge societal stereotypes by highlighting the unique strengths and capabilities of PWDs. By integrating practical lessons with empowerment strategies, the program aimed to support students in their transition to greater independence and social participation. 

Students participated in a hands-on workshop where they learned how to make graham balls under the guidance of volunteers and teachers. 

As part of their financial education, the beneficiaries were taught how to record inventories, track sales, and practice basic budgeting and financial planning. 

The activity concluded with a selling segment, where students applied their learning by selling their baked goods to fellow students, experiencing real-world business practices. 

In a collaborative effort to foster an inclusive learning environment, school administrators, faculty members, and community partners joined forces to ensure the success of a recent student support initiative. The program was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Junior Confederation of Finance Associations – Philippines (JCFAP). 

Leading the initiative, Chairperson Dr. Ria S. Fajilago, alongside esteemed faculty members from the Department of Financial Management (DFM)—Asst. Prof. Prince Gullilan D. Cruz, Dr. Allan A. Calderon, Prof. Aris G. Norberte, Assoc. Prof. Realin C. Aranza, Asst. Prof. Christian Neil A. Ramos, Assoc. Prof. Henry B. Prudente, and Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Panibio—actively participated in the distribution of grocery donations.  

JFINEX-PUP President Sherwin Paul R. Padillon reiterated the organization’s dedication to creating opportunities that uplift communities through education and financial literacy. 

The event served as a testament to JFINEX-PUP’s advocacy for community development, ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability, is given the tools to thrive in society.