PIA Press Release
Wednesday, January 04, 2012 BSP-Zambo makes research easier and fun thru EFLCby Michael Vincent D. CajulaoZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) -– With the aim of giving the public easy access to various economic and financial information, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas – Zamboanga City Branch recently launched its Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC), a world-class program that’s easy to use and open for everybody. BSP-Zamboanga Research Specialist Hermogenes Buenaflor, Jr. said EFLC is open to anybody who wishes to gather valuable information, from finance and economy, BSP’s core mandate and functions, basic knowledge on central banking, and banking system in our country and its evolution, to name a few. More important, data gathering is made simple. “The scope and quality of data or information that researchers can easily gather from the EFLC is by any standard, world class and user-friendly, as it openly provides easy access to alternative forms of media that allow visiting researchers to acquire the materials they need with relative ease, through the use and access to EFLC’s on-line computer terminal”, Mr. Buenaflor explained. However, he pointed that the availability of information is limited only to certain archived materials. Buenaflor, Jr. stressed that the putting up of EFLC in the city is a strong manifestation of the BSP’s support to the government’s social and economic development objectives. “The establishment of EFLC and its expansion to the rest of BSP’s regional offices and branches nationwide, including Zamboanga, give substance to an advocacy focused towards supporting the economic and social development objectives of the government, specifically in areas that involve financial education, consumer protection and access to economic information or data”, Buenaflor said. The EFLC has three main areas, the library, multi-media or internet area, and the numismatic display, showcasing the Philippines’ different coins and bills from past to present. Buenaflor said the facility does not only make data gathering easier and time-saving, it also makes it fun for visitors as doubles up as a museum. “In some way, EFLC also acts as a “money museum” that will captivate our visitors. This will show how the Philippine Peso notes and coins evolved, provide a memorable and enchanting respite for some educational travel back to time”, he said. EFLC other functions also include conduct of briefings and lectures relevant to central banking. (JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST) | 
