ACEN, through its wind energy projects in Ilocos Norte — the 81 MW North Luzon Renewables, 160 MW Pagudpud Wind, and 70 MW Capa Wind — has partnered with a leading community bank to equip farmers and seedling producers with financial management skills and access to relevant banking services.
The initiative brought together farmers and family heads from ACEN’s host communities in Barangays Caunayan, Balaoi, and Caparispisan in Pagudpud, as well as Barangay Tanap in Burgos. The first training session, held in Barangay Caparispisan on May 28, gathered 175 participants, while the succeeding session in Barangay Caunayan on May 29 brought together around 150 participants from neighboring communities.
Financial wellness sessions covered practical topics such as budgeting, saving, responsible financial planning, and protecting personal finances, complemented by strong emphasis on fraud awareness to help participants recognize scams and safeguard their accounts.
Participants also received cash cards and ATM cards. Through the initiative, farmers and seedling producers can now receive and manage their earnings more conveniently and securely through digital banking channels. The introduction of digital banking provided a safe, simple, and convenient way for them to perform essential transactions such as 24/7 account access, sending money, and paying bills — empowering participants to manage their finances anytime, directly from their mobile devices.
The program was made possible by ACEN’s partnership with BDO Network Bank, the community banking arm of BDO Unibank. Guided by its commitment to bring banking closer to underserved communities, BDO Network Bank brings essential banking to remote communities, ensuring financial services reach those who need them most. Through its network of over 600 branches and loan offices nationwide, the bank supports local livelihoods by making essential banking services more accessible.
“Our farmers and seedling producers are central to ACEN’s conservation efforts, and their inclusion in the formal banking system is key to building more resilient livelihoods and advancing sustainable development. Through our partnership with BDO, we are expanding access to financial services in our host communities while strengthening confidence in the banking system,” said Jesusa Arellano, Chief Finance Officer for ACEN Philippines Development and Operations.
“Financial inclusion begins with access and understanding. We want the participants to feel confident in managing their earnings, building savings, and protecting their finances. Through this partnership with ACEN, we are bringing banking services closer to communities and helping more farmers take meaningful steps toward financial security,” said Editha L. Agsunod, BDO Network Bank Pagudpud Area Head.
The initiative supports ACEN’s efforts to modernize its seedling production program through digital payments. Farmers and seedling producers who supply seedlings for the ACEN’s conservation initiatives now receive payments through cash cards, replacing traditional cash distribution methods.
For Imelda Pedro, a 54-year-old seedling producer from Barangay Balaoi, the session was more than just a financial literacy seminar — it was a chance to learn skills that they can use every day. “Having an ATM card for the first time made us feel included in services that many people in larger towns take for granted. Programs like this give us confidence that we can better support our families while continuing to contribute to the conservation efforts in our community,” she said.
Minette Lagalo, a 48-year-old seedling producer from Barangay Caunayan, also shared how essential the session is for her and her family. “This program opened our eyes to the importance of saving and planning for the future. Receiving our ATM cards and learning how to use them gave us confidence that our earnings can be managed more safely and conveniently. We are grateful for this opportunity because it helps our families become more prepared for the future.”
The seedlings produced by local farmers are used in ACEN’s Conservation Estate in Ilocos Norte, a large-scale biodiversity and reforestation initiative that supports habitat restoration and environmental stewardship alongside the company’s renewable energy operations. Through the program, farmers are able to generate additional income while contributing to landscape rehabilitation efforts in their communities.
By combining financial education, access to banking services, and livelihood opportunities linked to conservation, ACEN and BDO Network Bank are helping ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are shared with the communities that host renewable energy projects.
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