EastWest Ageas PURPLE Report 2026: Filipinos Need More Financial Options

💜 9 in 10 Filipinos want to secure their family’s future, but rising costs are making that harder.

EastWest Ageas’ PURPLE Report 2026 reveals how Filipinos are balancing everyday expenses with goals like emergency funds, education, retirement, and financial security.

So, how are families adjusting their money choices, and why are more financial options becoming important? Read the full story. 👇

For most Filipinos, planning for the future is not really about chasing wealth. It is about making sure the people they care about will be okay when life gets more expensive or something unexpected happens.

That is one of the key takeaways from the new PURPLE Report 2026 by EastWest Ageas, which found that 9 out of 10 Filipinos prioritize securing their families' future. The challenge is that doing so is becoming harder as rising living costs force households to focus more heavily on what they need to pay for today.

The report highlights a familiar financial balancing act: Filipinos want to build savings, prepare for emergencies, support their children's education, and plan for retirement, but everyday expenses can make those goals harder to pursue.

The findings were discussed during an EastWest Ageas media meet on September 29, where EastWest Ageas and EastWest Bank executives, along with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Yap, talked about the need to give Filipinos more choices when it comes to financial planning.

Filipinos Still Want to Prepare for the Future

Despite economic pressures, the desire to build a financial safety net remains strong.

The PURPLE Report 2026 found that 9 out of 10 Filipinos prioritize creating financial buffers for their families, particularly as they deal with rising prices, limited emergency funds, and unstable or insufficient resources.

The report also found that 8 out of 10 Filipinos value securing resources for their family's future and well-being, including their children's education, retirement, and financial independence.

Health is another major concern. Six out of 10 Filipinos are looking for funds to cover possible hospitalization costs, reflecting concerns about gaps in health insurance coverage and the financial impact of medical emergencies.

In other words, Filipinos are thinking about more than just getting through the month. They are also trying to protect the years ahead.

The Problem Is Not the Goal, It Is the Budget

The harder part is finding enough room in the budget to do both.

According to the report, 43% of Filipinos said their financial situation worsened in the second quarter of 2026. As a result, many are making adjustments to manage their immediate needs.

56% are cutting back on their budgets to prioritize basic necessities, 52% are closely monitoring their expenses, and 42% are reducing nonessential spending.

These numbers show the trade-off many households are facing. Saving for a child's education or retirement may be important, but groceries, bills, transportation, and other daily expenses still have to be paid first.

That can make long-term financial planning feel like something that gets pushed to a later date.

The report suggests that simply cutting back may not be enough. Filipinos also need access to more financial options that can help them manage today's needs while still working toward tomorrow's goals.

Why More Financial Options Matter

Both public and private financial institutions are working to expand those options.

During the media meet, BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Yap discussed the central bank's efforts to build a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem. These include financial literacy programs designed to improve money management skills and initiatives aimed at making financial services more accessible.

The insurance industry is also working on financial education and protection.

Philippine Life Insurance Association President and EastWest Ageas President and CEO Sjoerd Smeets pointed to efforts such as Life Goals PH and Industrypedia, along with school tours that introduce younger Filipinos to financial concepts and insurance.

Smeets also highlighted recent movement in insurance penetration.

“The previous quarter saw insurance penetration increase from 1.79% to 1.96%, a positive sign that the insurance industry’s efforts to financially empower more Filipinos are slowly paying off. To accelerate this, we hope the public and private sectors continue collaborating on financial literacy programs that can help more Filipinos see insurance as a reliable option for building a secure future,” Smeets said.

The numbers suggest that financial awareness and access are increasingly becoming part of the conversation around how Filipinos prepare for the future.

Making Financial Protection Easier to Navigate

For first-time policyholders, another challenge is figuring out where a financial product fits into an already complicated budget.

EastWest Ageas says it has responded by simplifying the process of understanding and applying for insurance through its PURPLE Solutions.

The plans are designed around a more straightforward application process and clearer benefits, with the goal of helping Filipinos work toward long-term goals without completely sacrificing their day-to-day needs.

That approach is particularly relevant in a financial environment where consumers are becoming more deliberate about where their money goes.

The question is no longer simply whether Filipinos want to prepare for the future. The PURPLE Report suggests that many already do. The bigger question is whether they have enough flexibility and enough choices to do it consistently.

Building a Future While Managing Today

The report paints a picture of Filipino households that are adjusting, prioritizing, and making difficult choices as costs rise.

Cutting nonessential spending and monitoring expenses can help create breathing room, but those measures alone may not provide a long-term solution for families trying to build financial security.

That is why the conversation is expanding beyond spending less.

Financial literacy, accessible financial services, insurance, and other planning options can all play a role in helping Filipinos make choices that fit their individual circumstances and goals.

The PURPLE Report 2026 ultimately points to a simple reality: Filipinos already have a strong desire to secure their families' future. What they may need more of are practical and accessible ways to turn that intention into a plan that can survive the realities of everyday life.

As living costs continue to shape household decisions, having more options could give Filipinos greater room to protect what matters today while still preparing for what comes next.