The Securities and Exchange Commission – Tarlac Extension Office (SEC TAREO) and Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) in Camiling, Tarlac formally sealed a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the SEC Communication, Advocacy, and Network (SEC-CAN!) initiative held last September 19 in Tarlac City.
The partnership aims to promote financial literacy, strengthen investor protection, and support capital market development within the University. By working together, SEC-TAREO and TAU seek to equip students, faculty, and personnel with the knowledge and skills to manage their finances responsibly, invest wisely, avoid debt traps, and protect themselves against fraudulent investment schemes.
The MOA was signed by SEC-TAREO Director Atty. Richard R. Laus and Dr. Sherwin S. Alar, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, representing TAU President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson. They were joined by SEC Administrative Officer Princess Y. Sagun and Ms. Rosario Hersey Rodriguez of the TAU Economics Department.
Director Laus highlighted that partnerships with academic institutions like TAU play a crucial role in extending the SEC’s advocacy on financial literacy and investor protection to the grassroots level.
“Through this partnership, we hope to instill in the younger generation the value of being financially literate and vigilant against investment scams. By working closely with TAU, we are not only strengthening investor protection but also building a foundation for future professionals who are responsible, informed, and proactive in their financial decisions,” Director Laus stated.
For his part, Dr. Alar emphasized the alignment of the partnership with TAU’s academic thrusts.
“The MOA between TAU and SEC Tarlac is designed to promote financial literacy and ensure investor protection for faculty, students, and staff. At the same time, it strengthens the University’s programs, particularly in the College of Arts and Sciences, by linking these initiatives with the faculty’s responsibilities in research, extension, and production,” Dr. Alar said.
The collaboration will be implemented through consultations, training sessions, and seminars to develop a financially literate and scam-aware academic community at TAU—empowering students and personnel to make smarter financial decisions and become responsible investors.
