The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Antique Chapter signed an agreement Wednesday to strengthen their collaboration on the conduct of investor’s education and advocacies.

SEC Iloilo Director lawyer Ma. Cristina Montelibano, in her message, said they need to establish and strengthen linkages, communications and collaborative activities for their agency to effectively carry out its mandate.

“SEC is reaching out to all sectors in order to advance the government services,” she said.

Signatories to the agreement included PCCI Antique Chapter President Rani Rodriguez and Vice President Aben Ortega, and Montelibano.

In the agreement, the parties will have regular consultations and dialogues in the design, development, and implementation of financial literacy programs and investment scams awareness activities.

They will also conduct joint programs, activities and interventions focused on equipping the people with the knowledge and skills to understand financial principles and practices, as well as to avoid becoming victims of investment fraud through the SEC Capital Market Promotion and Awareness Inter-Agency Network (SEC CAMPAIGN Network).

“Although there is no any investment scam in Antique now, but then, we are pursuing the program to prevent anyone from being (a) victim,” Montelibano said.

Rodriguez said PCCI seeks to help its members; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other stakeholders how to legitimize their businesses by registering it with SEC.

“We also know that one of the requirements of the financial institutions whenever an entrepreneur or MSME applies for a loan for his developing business is the SEC registration so we would like to help them learn on how to register,” he said.

The SEC will be establishing a station or satellite office in Antique so those needing their services no longer have to transact at SEC in Iloilo city in the future. (PNA)