June 13, 2016

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is hosting the International Conference on "Raising Public Awareness on Deposit Insurance" to coincide with the 14th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) Asia-Pacific Regional Committee (APRC) on June 15-17, 2016 at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City.

The conference aims to harness information, insights, practices and other knowledge resources in the communication field towards effective public awareness programs consistent with the IADI Core Principles. It will provide a venue to encourage exchange of experience, challenges and lessons learned in developing and implementing effective public awareness programs among deposit insurance agencies. The conference will likewise serve as a platform for dynamic interaction between invited communication experts and deposit insurance practitioners involved in public awareness programs.

The conference features a melting pot of topics categorized into three main sessions: Guiding Deposit Insurance Agencies (DIAs) towards Effective Public Awareness Programs; Developing Communication Content and Choosing Effective Channels; and Public Awareness Programs for Target Groups. Lecturers/resource persons from the Philippines include Ms. Ritzi Villarico Ronquillo, Chairperson of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines; Ms. Emily A. Abrera, Chairman Emeritus of McCann Erickson Philippines; Dr. Donald Patrick Lim, Chief Digital Officer of ABS-CBN Corporation; Ms. Maria Rodriguez Java, Regional Business Partner for Southeast Asia of Effective Measure; and Mr. Ralph Guzman, Vice President for Marketing of Guthrie-Jensen Consultants. In between the lectures, participants from various jurisdictions will be presenting country cases for an enriched discussion and learning experience.

Delegations from member-countries including India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand are expected to attend the conference.

APRC member-countries will also showcase their various public awareness tools and programs at the APRC Exhibit to open on June 15, 2016.

PDIC President and APRC Vice Chair Cristina Que Orbeta said that hosting the conference highlights PDIC's intensified efforts for a more inclusive public awareness and financial literacy program. "This is also an opportune time for enhanced cross-border relations and productive learning exchanges among peer deposit insurance agencies in the Asia-Pacific," she added.

The regatta-inspired conference took off from Iloilo's local sailboat, paraw. Like the paraw, deposit insurers across the world sail in a challenging territory that requires specialized skills to navigate through a wide ocean of information, communication channels, fast-moving technology, and evolving financial markets. Operating on such context, promoting public awareness on deposit insurance becomes all the more important as deposit insurance agencies continue to collectively work together to protect depositors from the vulnerabilities and risks brought about by the fast changing financial landscape particularly felt in the Asia-Pacific region.

The international conference coincides with the commemoration of the 14th Depositor Protection and Awareness Week (DPAW) on June 16-22 with the theme, "Be Informed, Be Protected, Be a Wise Saver", and PDIC's 53rd founding anniversary.

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