Cover Dutch Queen Máxima on her 2024 visit to the Philippines (Photo: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)
Dutch Queen Máxima on her 2024 visit to the Philippines (Photo: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)
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Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visits the Philippines in her role as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA)
On her three-day visit to the Philippines, Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands engaged in a range of meetings to express her keen interest in helping the Philippines achieve a stable macroeconomic environment. She posits that the country’s high commodity makes it hard for most Filipinos to have financial inclusion and financial health to thrive.
“You have very high inflation. Saving in your own currency would not be very sustainable,” Her Majesty said.
Queen Máxima visited the country in her role as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). During her visit, Her Majesty emphasised the importance of ensuring access to financial services.
Here’s everything you need to know about this visit:
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1. Queen Máxima was also in the PH in 2015
Queen Máxima also visited the Philippines in 2015 to highlight the importance of the foundational pillars of financial connectivity, cybersecurity, and digitisation. She also stressed the need for more affordable financial services, especially for Filipinos living on small islands.
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2. She is focused on promoting key elements for financial inclusion
Above Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visits the Philippines in her role as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) (Photo: Getty Images)
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visits the Philippines in her role as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) (Photo: Getty Images)
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Queen Máxima still believes that connectivity, digital identification, and digital payments are essential elements for financial inclusion in the Philippines, as she has stated in this year’s visit.
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3. Queen Máxima explored last-mile financial solutions for far-flung islands
Queen Máxima visited a fisherfolk community on Talim Island during her stay in the Philippines, where she explored last-mile financial solutions for far-flung islands.
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4. She discussed PH financial solutions with key officials
Above (Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
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According to UNSGSA, Queen Máxima met with key public and private sector leaders, including President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, Secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF) Ralph Recto, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Dr Eli Remolona Jr, and others.
“We are honoured to welcome UNSGSA Queen Máxima to the Philippines. This is indeed a great opportunity to reflect upon and discuss our country’s achievements in inclusive financing, identify challenges, devise solutions, and plan further improvements to our financial inclusion initiatives,” Balisacan said in a statement.
5. At least 51.4 per cent Filipino adults have bank accounts in 2021
Above (Photo: Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/ Getty Images)
(Photo: Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/ Getty Images)
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In 2014, financial access in the Philippines was dire, with only 31.3 per cent of Filipinos having a bank account. There was minimal progress in 2021, with the figure climbing to 51.4 per cent.
“Now, there’s a reason why I’m back here. It’s because, of course, there’s still a good 40 per cent of the population that actually don’t have access,” Her Majesty said in an interview.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
