Government agencies and GCash accelerate digital Philippines transformation, boosting transparency and public service delivery

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ARTA, BSP, and DICT team up with GCash for the Nation initiative to push for full government digitalization

In line with the government’s vision to eliminate red tape and corruption, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), together with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the country’s leading finance app GCash, convened to champion the complete digitalization of public services. The workshop, “GCash for the Nation: Building Capabilities Toward a Sustainable Digital Ecosystem,” was held at the ARTA premises in the UP-AyalaLand Technohub, Quezon City.

Bringing together leaders from economic, regulatory, and local government sectors, the session underscored a shared commitment that digital transformation is key to transparent, efficient, and citizen-centered governance.

“Digitalization is not just ease of doing business but an assurance against undesired allegations such as corruption. Every time we move a process online, we create a system that is accountable, traceable, and citizen-centered,” said ARTA director general Ernesto Perez.

Government and industry leaders agreed that moving processes online not only speeds up delivery but also ensures every transaction is properly documented and verifiable. However, one major challenge remains—shifting from paper-based audits to digital validation. BSP deputy governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat highlighted this social shift, emphasizing that building trust in digital platforms is essential for the government’s transformation journey.

“Digital finance must build not only convenience but also trust. Through the years, we’ve already established financial inclusion, and we have now evolved into driving financial health,” she said.

As the country’s leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, GCash reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government agencies in adopting paperless and cashless systems. This collaboration aims to accelerate the shift toward e-payments and digital records, improving ease of doing business and minimizing bureaucratic bottlenecks.

“The digital economy reached ₱2.25 trillion in 2024, signaling our shift toward a fully digital future. (At DepDev), we are driving digitalization across planning, policy, and implementation while advancing key reforms to simplify business processes. We look forward to working with all our partners to bring Filipinos closer to a more comfortable and resilient way of life, “said DepDev assistant secretary Reynaldo Cancio.

 

GCash VP and head of public sector Cleo Celeste Santos highlights the role of technology in improving public services

Through the partnership, ARTA and GCash will roll out capacity-building initiatives for local and national government units, enabling them to develop digital systems aligned with the government’s transformation roadmap. These initiatives include digital payment integration, streamlined records management, and strengthened citizen access to essential services.

“Digital transformation requires both technology and mindset. We’re here to build the digital backbone that allows government agencies to deliver faster, cleaner, and more inclusive services to Filipinos,” said Cleo Celeste Santos, GCash vice president and head of public sector.

“GCash is proud to stand alongside ARTA and our government partners in advancing a truly digital nation—one that enables transparent, efficient, and inclusive services for all,” Santos added.

BSP deputy governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat underscores that building trust in digital platforms is key to the government’s digital transformation journey

DepDev assistant secretary Reynaldo Cancio talks about digitalization and its impact on the Philippine economy

The workshop underscored ARTA’s “whole-of-government” approach to reforming public services—an effort that aligns seamlessly with GCash’s vision of “Finance for All.” By empowering agencies with secure and efficient digital tools, GCash continues to play a pivotal role in building a safe, trusted, and inclusive digital economy—helping government institutions uphold transparency, accountability, and sustainable governance for every Filipino.

“Once fully deployed, we will anchor a sustainable digital ecosystem that streamlines transactions, strengthens transparency, and accelerates the country’s digitalization agenda,” said GPPB-TSO Capacity Development Division officer-in-charge Renlay Concha.

GCash for the Nation program brings digital and financial literacy training to different regions across the country. Earlier sessions were held in Pangasinan and in the National Government Agencies cluster in NCR, Eastern and Western Visayas. These will be followed by the next runs in Cagayan Valley on November 25, and Albay on November 27. Through these continuing efforts, GCash remains steadfast in its mission to enable Finance for the Nation by empowering communities, MSMEs, and government partners through digital innovation.

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com.

CARD Indogrosir, GCash bring SoundPay innovative payment tool to MSMEs

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GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app, has teamed up with CARD Indogrosir, a hybrid local retail chain that caters not just to retail customers but also wholesale clients. Through this partnership, GCash is rolling out SoundPay devices in all CARD Indogrosir stores, enabling faster and more efficient transactions.

(L-R) GCash account manager Vance Ching, B2B commercial head Martin Limgengco, business group head Jong Layug, CARD Indogrosir executive vice president Frederick Torres, and general manager Jeffrey Rilles

Powered by a compact device that emits a distinct audio cue upon a successful payment, SoundPay allows merchants to confirm transactions instantly—no need to check phones or request screenshots. This scan-to-pay system is especially useful in areas with limited connectivity, where reliability and speed are essential.

These devices are already available in 29 branches of CARD Indogrosir, with plans to add 44 more before the year ends, and expand this to a total 200 stores by next year.

For GCash users, SoundPay delivers a more intuitive, secure, and modern payment experience. For merchants, it streamlines operations, reduces delays, and supports smoother interactions with both bulk buyers and walk-in customers.

By integrating SoundPay into CARD Indogrosir’s retail network, GCash is enabling more businesses to adopt digital payments with confidence and ease.

"This partnership is about meeting users where they are and making payments work better for everyone. SoundPay brings speed, simplicity, and trust to everyday transactions," said Jong Layug at group head of GCash for business.

“At CARD MRI, we believe that inclusive growth begins with empowering the smallest entrepreneurs – our Sari-sari store owner members. Through our partnership with GCash and SoundPay, we are not only modernizing payments but also creating opportunities for every member of the CARD community as well as the general public to grow, compete, and thrive,” said Frederick Torres, EVP for CARD Indogrosir.

As SoundPay begins its rollout, GCash continues to lead the way in building financial systems that are not only innovative but inclusive—enabling merchants and customers to transact with greater ease, trust, and relevance—one tap at a time.

CARD Indogrosir is a joint venture between CARD MRI—the largest microfinance institution in the Philippines—and Indonesia’s Indogrosir under the Salim Group. It was founded in 2023, aligned with CARD MRI’s ultimate goal of eradicating poverty in the country, as it helps support Filipino micro-retailers by giving them access to wholesale pricing, logistics solutions, and much-needed financial services—making it a strategic partner in the inclusive innovation push of GCash.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

Restoring dignity in borrowing: Fuse Financing on breaking credit barriers for small businesses at AgriVerse 2025

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Fuse Financing, Inc., the lending arm of GCash, led a discussion on fair borrowing options for Filipino micro-retailers and agri-entrepreneurs at the recently concluded Agriverse Summit 2025 held in Pasay City. The event brought together agripreneurs, government officials, innovators, and small business owners to explore how technology can support business growth, boost agricultural productivity, and promote sustainable farming.

L-R) PARJV Grosolutions co-founder and Pamantasan ng Cabuyao VP planning, research and extension Dr. Jessica Domingo Rey; GCash VP and head of corporate communications and public affairs Gilda Maquilan; Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners founding and national president Ms. Elilyn S. Gadia; Fuse Financing Inc. chief product officer and strategy head Baby Aquino; and ASBF Philippines founding trustee and president Ms. Arlene Padua-Martinez

Organized by the Asia Small Business Federation (ASBF) and Philippine Association of Stores and Cardinderia Owners (PASCO), Fuse Financing chief product officer and strategy head Baby Aquino highlighted the company's commitment to restoring dignity and fairness to borrowing for the Filipino micro-retail and agricultural sector.

In a fireside chat "Digital Wallets, Local Markets: Unlocking Growth for Micro-Retail and Agribusiness," Aquino also shared how Fuse is redefining access to finance through digital technology. The company replaces exploitative informal lending with fast, fair, and transparent credit products that can be accessed real time, anytime, anywhere, through a mobile phone via your GCash e-wallet.

Fuse’s innovation lies in its end-to-end digital process. By using data-driven credit assessment and digital collection tools, the lender removes the need for physical documents or in-person applications. This allows MSMEs to access funds within minutes, validating what Aquino describes as "true empowerment."

As of the second quarter of 2025, Fuse has extended credit to 9.5 million Filipinos and disbursed P287 billion in loans. Fuse is able to extend credit to segments underserved by traditional institutions such as MSMEs and women, with one in three are small business owners and three in five borrowers are women while four out of five are from the masses (SEC C2DE), underscoring the company’s wide reach and deep impact on inclusion.

The lender’s suite of products is designed to meet the different financing needs of small entrepreneurs. GLoan offers larger cash loans for business owners of up to P350,000, to support their business capital and growth, while GLoan Sakto, a sachet-type loan, enables eligible customers to borrow for as low as Php 100- an ideal option for the regular customers or the “sukis” of sari-sari stores, instead of them constantly borrowing from sari-sari store owners. This also relieves them of the hassle of collecting those small loans owners. Often used as “pambale,” borrowing even as small as P100 can give customers who were traditionally sidelined by formal credit institutions, an opportunity to build a formal credit history. This approach helps everyday Filipinos transition from informal borrowing toward long-term, sustainable growth.

Aquino emphasized that Fuse’s mission is to make formal lending accessible to every Filipino entrepreneur. "’Yung philosophy kasi talaga ng GCash is to allow Filipinos to borrow with dignity. Dapat ‘yong mga produkto namin ay klaro, fair, and transparent. (GCash operates on a philosophy that aims to allow Filipinos to borrow with dignity. Our products are clear, fair, [and] transparent),” she said.

Aquino concluded that the future of small businesses in the Philippines, especially in the agri-tech sector, depends on three essentials: access to finance, access to markets, and access to technology. Through digital innovation, Fuse and GCash aim to make these opportunities available to every Filipino entrepreneur.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

Fuse Financing highlights importance of partnerships in scaling credit access to the unbanked

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Fuse Financing, Inc., the lending arm of the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem GCash, underscored the importance of innovative financing structures at the 5th Asia Finance Forum, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at its headquarters in Manila.

The forum highlighted a critical industry pain point: fintech companies face capital constraints that limit their ability to scale, as traditional debt markets remain restrictive. This bottleneck slows progress in extending credit to the underbanked and unbanked, ultimately curbing economic inclusion.

Addressing this challenge, Gabby Lacuesta, chief financial officer of Fuse, joined the panel discussion “Financing Growth: Unlocking Co-Lending, Capital Markets & Risk-Sharing for Fintechs.” Moderated by Apurva Kumar, senior investment specialist at ADB, the session also featured Irem Sayeed, chief risk officer at UGRO Capital; Fernanda Lima, partner at LeapFrog; and Luke Boland, head of Fintech Asia at Standard Chartered Bank.

The panel discussion underscored how co-lending and off-book funding partnerships create a synergistic relationship between fintechs and banks. Through the model, banks gain a vital deployment channel that reaches underserved customers, while fintechs like Fuse are able to cycle capital more quickly and extend their market reach. Fuse leverages the GCash ecosystem, which serves eight out of ten Filipinos, as a foundation to connect partner institutions with communities often excluded from traditional lending systems.

Lacuesta highlighted that building confidence across the entire lending process is the key to unlocking funding partnerships. "For GCash, the essential unlock was demonstrating to our partners that the end-to-end system—from acquisition and underwriting to collections and recoveries—is consistently effective, reliable, and working really well," he said.

The panelists also discussed the dynamic balance between on- and off-balance sheet lending, which shifts with market conditions and investor appetite. In practice, this balance ensures lending remains both sustainable and responsive to economic realities.

Beyond credit risk, the conversation emphasized operational and strategic risks, particularly in an environment where fintech platforms manage sensitive data at massive scale. With the reach of GCash extending to most of the country’s population, protecting customer information is a central priority and one of the most salient operational risks in digital lending. Managing these risks effectively ensures that co-lending models remain viable, efficient, and trusted.

Reflecting on Fuse’s trajectory, Lacuesta highlighted the importance of financial discipline in pursuing growth. “Where we are now would not have been possible without the different avenues for funding that we raised and developed along the way, including off-book lending,” he said. “For GCash, the experience has been really about balance.”

The Asia Finance Forum’s theme, “Bridging Financial Technology, Trust, and Regulation,” provided an essential venue to discuss regulatory frameworks that enable sustainable co-lending and other innovative financing structures. Regulators broadly support these models because of their potential to efficiently channel capital to the real economy, particularly underserved markets such as small businesses and low-income households.

By advancing co-lending and other innovative models, Fuse is committed to expanding opportunities for Filipinos and strengthening financial inclusion in Asia’s fast-growing economies.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

CICC, GCash strengthen alliance for intensified campaign against cyber fraud

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Recognizing the continuous need to safeguard Filipinos from rising online fraud and scams, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the lead agency under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) tasked with combating cybercrime, has forged a stronger alliance with leading finance app GCash to boost cyber protection for digital financial services.

(L-R) Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) director IV Alvin Navarro and undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso inks Memorandum of Agreement with Mynt, parent company of GCash represented by group head for new businesses Winsley Bangit, chief legal officer Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, and G-Xchange Inc., head of legal Atty. Gilbert Escoto

Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), this partnership strengthens incident response and information sharing. It also supports the government’s capacity-building programs to further enhance cyber resilience.

The agreement was signed by CICC Usec. Renato “Aboy” A. Paraiso, who was joined by Dir. Alvin M. Navarro and Dir. Rojun V. Hosillos, together with other CICC officials. Representing GCash were Mynt’s (parent company of GCash) group head for new businesses, Winsley Royce Bangit, chief legal and compliance officer, Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, G-Xchange Inc., head of legal, Atty. Gilbert Escoto, with the support of GCash head of advocacy, Atty. Mark Anthony Amurao, Mynt’s chief information and security officer, Miguel Geronilla, and vice president and head of corporate communications and public affairs, Gilda Maquilan.

Emphasizing the importance of public-private collaboration, Undersecretary Paraiso noted, “Cybersecurity is not the responsibility of the government alone—it requires strong collaboration with industry leaders like GCash. Through this partnership, we are sending a clear message to cybercriminals that we are united in protecting Filipinos and will relentlessly pursue those who seek to exploit our digital economy. Together, we are building a safer and more resilient cyberspace where trust and innovation can thrive.”

The collaboration comes at a time when digital platforms are increasingly targeted by fraudsters. With stronger cooperation between the government and the private sector, both CICC and GCash are committed to reinforcing user protection and building greater trust in the country’s digital ecosystem.

For its part, GCash has been taking proactive measures, successfully blocking over 4 million fraudulent accounts and taking down thousands of malicious posts. These efforts will be further strengthened and complemented by CICC’s expertise, enabling GCash to better protect users who rely on digital services for their everyday transactions.

The partnership represents a vital step in the ongoing efforts of GCash to achieve its vision of financial inclusion while securing its users. “This partnership with CICC also serves as a compelling reminder that we must continue improving and innovating to protect our customers from ever-present cyber threats and other types of scams,” Atty. Alvarez-Adriano said.

With its continued focus on safety and innovation, GCash, together with the government, affirms its role in enabling every Filipino to safely participate in the digital economy with confidence and peace of mind.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

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GCash and InvestaTrade partner to make investing easier for every Filipino

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GCash and InvestaTrade launch an upgraded GStocks platform for an easier investing experience within the GCash app.

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Powered by InvestaTrade, GStocks lets Filipinos become part-owners of top local companies by investing in stocks—right from the GCash app, in just minutes

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Redefining how first-time investors enter the market, GCash upgrades its GStocks feature with new partner InvestaTrade, the stock trading arm of Investa, known for its beginner-friendly approach to financial education and stock market awareness.

While the level of Filipinos' interest and adoption toward investing has grown in recent years, participation in the stock market is still not widespread. According to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the number of stock market accounts in the PSE reached 2.86 million, with 99% belonging to local investors as of June 2024. For perspective, this represents only about 4.1% of the country's roughly 70 million adult population.

The new partnership aims to change that. Powered by InvestaTrade, GStocks introduces a simplified investing experience within the GCash app, allowing Filipinos to easily register, fund their accounts, and start investing in local stocks—all in just a few minutes.

The upgraded GStocks experience also aims to drive stronger literacy and ease stock selection with a more intuitive platform that features built-in educational content. The platform is also designed to be as user-friendly and accessible as possible, even to first-time investors.

“Financial tools only work if people actually feel ready to use them. This partnership is about meeting people where they are and giving them room to grow at their own pace,” general manager for wealth management at GCash, Arjun Varma, said.

“Our goal has always been to use technology to break down barriers to investing. With GStocks PH and InvestaTrade, we’re making it easier for more Filipinos to take that first step with tools designed to help jumpstart their financial journey,” he added.

The partnership with InvestaTrade brings additional credibility and community-based learning to the platform. Since 2015, Investa has built a reputation for offering accessible tools, market insights, and educational content aimed at helping everyday Filipinos make sense of the stock market.

“We’ve always believed that investing should be made accessible for every Filipino. This has been our mission since day one. This collaboration allows us to take what we’ve built at Investa—tools, education, and a supportive community—and make it available to a wider audience through GCash,” Investa CEO and co-founder JC Bisnar said.

“This collaboration also highlights the importance of technology in making investing more accessible. By leveraging the seamless experience and advanced features of the InvestaTrade platform, in synergy with GCash, we aim to simplify the learning curve and equip first-time and experienced users alike with reliable tools,” said Investa CTO and co-founder Airwyn Tin.

It only takes minutes to start investing with GStocks. Fully verified GCash users with an updated KYC in the last 3 years just need to register in-app to get approved instantly.

The new GStocks PH powered by InvestaTrade officially launches September 15 as part of GCash’s broader mission to make investing a stronger habit and a part of everyday life for all Filipinos.

Through this, GCash is helping turn what was once an intimidating topic into a practical step toward financial growth, empowering more Filipinos to build a stronger, more secure future.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. You should always consult a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any reliance you place on the information provided is strictly at your own risk.

G ka na ba tumulong? Sa GBayanihan, you can donate LIVE to help lives!

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GCash, the Philippines' leading finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem, is introducing a new way for Filipinos to support worthy causes through a first-of-its-kind livestream quiz show under its GBayanihan program. The initiative offers a fun and interactive experience that makes giving more engaging while continuing to channel support to non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Many NGOs in the country continue to face difficulties in generating consistent financial support, limiting their ability to sustain their causes. At the same time, Filipinos are often met with multiple calls for donations across different channels, making it difficult to know which platforms are legitimate and which NGOs are credible.

To help address this problem, GCash created GBayanihan, a trusted in-app donation feature that connects users with reputable organizations. GBayanihan is a curated list of NGOs that adhere to the highest standards of audit and governance. All featured NGOs have both a Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) accreditation, considered the gold standard certification in the NGO sector, and a solicitation permit from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). These credentials confirm that featured organizations are authorized to raise funds and are properly audited.

GBayanihan serves as a bridge between millions of Filipinos and these trusted NGOs, ensuring every donation goes only to legitimate organizations.

The telethon-inspired donation drive titled “Game to Give” combines entertainment, gamification, and philanthropy in one unique experience. It will feature 4 content creators competing in real-time trivia quizzes, each playing on behalf of their chosen causes. The winning influencer can secure up to ₱1 million in donations for their chosen organization. Among the causes to be represented are Ashley Rivera for Community Development, Hershey Neri for Education, Lottie Bie for Health, and Show Suzuki for Shelter. Featured NGOs are among the likes of UNICEF, ABS-CBN Foundation, InLife Foundation, and Virlanie.

What sets the event apart is its audience participation: every donation, even as small as 1 peso, by viewers translates into points for their chosen player’s team, directly linking support for NGOs with the excitement of competition. The show culminates with GCash awarding the winning creator with up to ₱1 million to be given to the NGOs under their cause, amplifying the impact of the fundraising drive and ensuring greater support for the beneficiary organizations.

“Through GBayanihan and Game to Give, we want to show how technology can open new opportunities for NGOs to reach supporters and raise funds in more innovative ways,” said CJ Alegre, AVP for sustainability at GCash. “By leveraging the GCash network, we make it easier for Filipinos to engage with causes they care about, while creating a bigger collective impact for communities across the country.”

Game to Give is the pioneering GBayanihan project that connects livestream entertainment with charitable giving. By integrating the act of donating into digital platforms where people already spend their time, the initiative demonstrates that philanthropy can be simple, fun, and impactful.

With Game to Give, GCash reinforces its role as a bridge between technology and social good, showing how its network can help transform everyday digital interactions into meaningful support for NGOs.

Watch Game to Give this Friday, September 19, 2025, live on the official GCash TikTok account with simultaneous streaming on Facebook, and donate via GBayanihan to help your chosen influencer and partner NGO win up to ₱1 million for their cause.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

GCash highlights role of national ID in enabling inclusive, secure finance at BSP forum

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A trusted digital identity system lays the foundation for true financial inclusion, helping ensure that every Filipino, regardless of their background or circumstances, can access essential financial services with confidence.

GCash vice president and head of customer experience management Joanne Avendaño

This was the central message at the recent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Forum on Digital Identity, where GCash, the country's leading finance finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, shared how its integration with the National ID eVerify Authentication Service (NIDAS) is making identity verification easier, more accessible, and more inclusive to help more Filipinos, especially those with limited access to traditional IDs, open an account.

Held at the BSP Assembly Hall, the forum brought together leaders from government, financial institutions, and the tech sector to examine how digital identity can support more secure and inclusive financial systems. Guided by the theme “Building Trust and Synergy in Digital Identity for an Inclusive and Secure Financial System,” the discussions emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation, and user-centric solutions that address real-world access challenges.

Representing GCash was Joanne Avendaño, vice president and head of customer experience management, who shared the company’s experience as the first and only Electronic Money Issuer integrated with NIDAS. This enables GCash users to validate their identity using their National ID in real-time, eliminating the need for multiple traditional IDs, which many Filipinos today still lack. This approach has helped reduce drop-offs during onboarding and has improved the success rate of account creation, especially among underserved groups. Most importantly, it has helped streamline onboarding for a broader range of users.

“Our partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has always been more than just ID acceptance. It’s a shared commitment to make sure that no Filipino is left behind in the digital economy,” said Avendaño. “By enabling real-time National ID validation and bringing services on-ground, we’re helping more Filipinos complete their verification journey with ease and confidence,” Avendaño added.

The forum also featured insights from the National Privacy Commission, World Bank, Korea Credit Information Services, and several units within the BSP. Topics ranged from data governance and consumer protection to practical implementation challenges and international benchmarks.

Avendaño joined fellow panelists from Asia United Bank, Seabank Philippines, Maya Philippines, and the Bankers Association of the Philippines in discussing the value of coordinated efforts, shared learnings, and responsible use of digital identity systems in strengthening public trust.

Beyond app integration, GCash has also worked with the PSA and local government units (LGUs) to support on-ground National ID registration and account onboarding events, which were held in schools, barangays, and underserved communities across the country. This approach brings both digital identity and financial access closer to Filipinos who need it most.

With digital ID adoption gaining momentum, GCash’s role as an early adopter highlights the importance of responsible integration, cross-sector collaboration, and community engagement in building a more accessible and inclusive financial ecosystem.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

3 Moves to Keep School Expenses in Check All Year Round

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From beating FOMO to making the most out of great deals, these tips can help you manage school expenses effectively no matter the season

The school year is in full swing, and the first wave of expenses has passed. But school costs don’t just disappear, and with household bills and everyday expenses in general, smart strategies need to be paired with reliable financial tools.

Here's how to stay on top of tuition payments, endless school supply shopping, and even everyday baon without feeling too much of a pinch:

●      Beat the ‘FOMO’ trap

New ‘must-have’ items can emerge on social media and can create a feeling of ‘Fear of Missing Out.’ While some trends and hacks can be helpful and fun, prioritize functionality and durability over fleeting trends. Before buying, ask yourself: Do my kids genuinely need this for learning, or am I just feeling pressured to get it?

●      Make use of free public learning resources

Learning can be exciting when it extends beyond the classroom walls, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to give your child new experiences. Several museums in Metro Manila offer free admission, including the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of Natural History. In need of a distraction-free environment for homework and research? Check out public libraries, such as the Quezon City Public Library and the National Library of the Philippines, as an alternative to cafes.

●      Explore financial tools and maximize promos

When everything happens all at once and you feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to tap into reliable digital financial tools to stretch your budget and help you manage your expenses. GCash offers ways to make school expenses more manageable. If you’re eligible, you can use GCredit, a credit line of up to PHP 50,000, which you can use to ease expenses for school supplies and gear. For bigger purchases, GGives provides an installment option of up to PHP 125,000, making essential upgrades like gadgets, electronics, or even tuition fees, lighter on your pocket with up to 24 months to pay.

Apple Preferred 0.9% GGives Interest Rate Promo

Savvy parents know not just the best gear for their kids, but especially how to get the at the best price. Pay for your in-store Apple product purchases with GGives and enjoy a special 0.9% interest when you choose 12 or 24-month installment plans at participating merchants.

This promo is valid with a minimum spend of PHP 15,000 from June 2 to September 12, 2025 at Power Mac Center, The Loop, Beyond the Box, Digital Walker, Open Source by Beyond The Box, Abenson, and ElectroWorld and Automatic Center.

Special freebies and discounts are also up for grabs when you use GGives. Get free Marshall Major headphones when you purchase select iPad or Mac/MacBook Models or get a free Marshall Willen speaker when you purchase an iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Max or iPhone 16 Pro 16e at Beyond the Box, Digital Walker, and Open Source by Beyond the Box. You can also score a free power bank when you purchase an Apple product from Abenson and get discounts of up to 23% on select Apple products at Power Mac Center and The Loop.

GGives promo is open to GCash users with an active GGives account, who choose GGives as their payment option for their Apple product purchase in-store, and select either 12 months or 24 months to pay.

GCredit Promo

Still need to buy additional school supplies? Use GCredit to buy them now and pay later. A minimum purchase of PHP 500 using GCredit from September 1 to September 30, 2025, at National Book Store, SM Store, or Robinsons Department Store gives you the chance to be one of the 10 lucky parents to win PHP 50,000 in GCash credits—perfect as additional budget for school!

To join the raffle, you must be an eligible GCredit user under CIMB bank with an active GCredit account and use GCredit for school-related transactions in the above-mentioned participating merchants. Every qualifying transaction earns you one e-raffle entry. GCash will draw the winners by September and notify them via official GCash channels and email and/or SMS.

Access GCredit and GGives through your GCash dashboard or find them under “Borrow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery.

For more details on the GCredit Back-To-School Raffle, visit https://www.google.com/url?q=https://new.gcash.com/promos/gcredit-back-to-school-raffle&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1756959507518865&usg=AOvVaw0S7jaRAg7YWIp8dAJKhqw2

 

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-235574 Series of 2025.

For more details on the Apple Preferred 0.9% GGives Interest Rate Promo, visit http://new.gcash.com/promos/apple-ggives-09-interest-rate.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-226575 Series of 2025.

PH’s retail treasury bonds available on e-wallets for the first time through GBonds

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The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) expands access to its 31st Retail Treasury Bond offering for everyday investors via GBonds in the GCash app

 Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon

For the first time ever, the Philippine government’s Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB) have been made available on an e-wallet platform, as the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) enables small investors to purchase government securities through the GBonds feature of GCash.

“We are thrilled to bring RTB 31 to the GCash app. This collaboration significantly expands our reach, enabling more Filipinos to invest in government securities easily and securely. It’s a monumental step toward our goal of a more financially inclusive Philippines, giving more people the opportunity to build their savings and contribute to the nation's economic growth,” said the Treasurer of the Philippines, Sharon Almanza.

The BTr initially planned to issue a minimum offer size of P30 billion for the five-year (5Y) RTBs, but due to strong investor demand, it eventually sold P210 billion during the rate-setting auction which resulted in a 6% coupon rate.

GCash users who sign up for GBonds can instantly place a buy order for the government’s 31st Retail Treasury Bond Issuance (RTB 31) from August 5 until the end of the offer period on August 15.

“For a minimum investment of P5,000 with no extra fees, GCash users can instantly place a buy order for RTB 31 anytime within the offer period once they sign up for GBonds. More Filipinos will have the chance to take part in nation-building while taking a significant step toward their financial goals through this innovation,” said Martha Sazon, president and CEO of GCash parent Mynt.

“In making RTBs more accessible to millions more Filipinos, we’re also enabling retail investors to contribute to the P2.6 trillion borrowing program of the government to fund essential projects,” she added.

 (L-R) Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) deputy treasurer Kenneth Francisco, OIC deputy treasurer Nanette Diaz, treasurer of the Philippines Sharon Almanza, with Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon, and Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) deputy treasurer Eduardo Mariño III

  (L-R)  Landbank of the Philippines president and CEO Lynette Ortiz, Bureau of the Treasury national treasurer Sharon Almanza, Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon, and Department of Finance undersecretary and chief economist Domnini Velasquez

Powered by Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX), Inc. and Bonds.ph, in partnership with the Bureau of the Treasury, GBonds became available to the public in July, allowing fully verified users to access fixed-income government securities without the need for a bank account. Filipinos can place their bond investment order and get confirmation in a few minutes in the GCash app.

Getting started on GBonds is easy and simple. Fully verified GCash users with an updated KYC within the past 3 years just need to open the app, go to GInvest, select GBonds, and register for a PDAX account, subject to their terms and conditions, to complete the registration process.

To get a fully verified GCash account, users are encouraged to go through the KYC process within the app ahead of starting on GBonds. This involves providing personal information, uploading a valid government ID, and completing a selfie scan. For more information, visit the Help Center.

For updates about the Bureau of the Treasury’s latest offerings, visit www.treasury.gov.ph and like/follow their Meta Page at TreasuryPH.

Palawan Pawnshop teams up with GCash to activate over 3,500 outlets for cash-out services

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Converting digital money into cash has just become easier and more accessible for many Filipinos across the Philippines as GCash, the country’s leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, announced the rollout of its ‘Cash Out’ service in more than 3,500 branches of Palawan Pawnshop nationwide.

(L-R) Palawan Pawnshop key accounts manager Sam Balando, B2B sales head Missy Baldemor, and chief business development officer Lisa Lou Casto-Sabado with G-Xchange Inc. general manager of GCash for Business Jong Layug, B2B commercial head Macky Limgenco, and enterprise sales head Kim Pineda

The recent addition of Palawan Pawnshop as a Cash Out partner further expands the reach of GCash and ensures convenience and accessibility for all users, which is an essential part of its vision of achieving “Finance for All”.

“This partnership makes it simple for our users to convert digital money into physical cash,” said GCash general manager of B2B, Jong Layug. “Palawan Pawnshop’s extensive branch network makes it a critical partner in our thrust toward providing our customers unparalleled accessibility and convenience.”

Palawan Group’s chief business development officer, Lisa Castro-Sabado, expressed excitement about this milestone partnership, saying: “The Palawan Group and GCash share one thing: we are both Filipino-owned, and service-to-Filipinos-oriented. This collaboration will certainly open doors to more opportunities of serving our kababayans better, wherever they are in the Philippines.”

Despite advances in digital payment infrastructure in the country, many Filipinos continue to rely on cash payment for their everyday transactions, especially in remote areas. Thus, partnering with Palawan Pawnshop, with its extensive presence across the country, will encourage more Filipinos to avail themselves of digital financial services as they can now easily turn their digital money into cash.

In addition to withdrawals, GCash and Palawan Pawnshop are also working on integrating the latter’s insurance products into GInsure, expanding the range of insurance options for GCash users. Users can access the Cash Out feature through the GCash app, generate a reference code, and present it at any Palawan Pawnshop branch. Transactions are processed within minutes.

The collaboration is part of GCash’s ongoing strategy to provide omnichannel financial services, offering users convenience and accessibility to digital financial solutions, while also maintaining access to physical cash when needed. Palawan Pawnshop joins a growing list of GCash partners in its cash-out network, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to serving its customers wherever they are.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

Heads Up! There’s a New Way to Pay in the Philippines — And It Happens with One Tap of Your Smartphone

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GCash continues to bring future-forward innovations to the Philippines with the official launch of GCash Tap to Pay, a contactless payment system that lets users of the app pay merchants with just one tap of their smartphone. Now available to Android users, GCash becomes the first e-wallet in the country to enable NFC-powered payments, allowing users to log in to the GCash app, tap and pay at any Mastercard accepting POS terminal nationwide.

While Tap to Pay technology has long been the norm in major cities around the world, offering speed and convenience, this marks the first time such a seamless, NFC-based payment experience is being made widely accessible in the Philippines through a local e-wallet. With this innovation, GCash not only brings global payment standards to Filipinos but also reinforces its position as the country's top fintech platform, continuously innovating to allow its users to level up their lives.

Tap into quicker - and safer - payments, accepted at millions of local and international stores through GCash and its partner, Mastercard.

From navigating morning grocery runs, commuting around the metro, to late-night dinner runs, errands, and schedules can already be difficult enough to manage, the last thing you need is the added burden of figuring out if you have enough cash to last you through the day.

GCash Tap to Pay is designed for ultimate convenience with quicker payments powered by Near Field Communications (NFC) technology. This allows devices in close proximity to exchange data securely. Each payment uses authentication protocols to verify user identity, while all transmitted data is encrypted, making transactions resistant to tampering and fraud. With this, GCash ensures that users enjoy a frictionless and protected payment experience every time.

Tap to Pay works at any terminal that accepts Mastercard payments, both locally and abroad. This partnership allows users to enjoy the same seamless tap-and-go experience wherever they go, even when traveling internationally, where it can be a huge hassle to be weighed down by a wallet filled with foreign coins, bills, and multiple cards.

Through this innovation, GCash eliminates the various everyday hassles by simplifying the payment process; just tap your phone, and you’re good to go. There’s no need to scan a QR code or fumble through your spare change, because all you need to pay for your morning cup of coffee or your unexpected grocery run is your smartphone – and no additional fees!

Experience payments in a tap today

Ready to experience effortless and secure payments? Activate GCash Tap to Pay and enjoy transactions in just one tap. Here’s how you can activate and use GCash with your phone:

One-Time Setup: How to Activate GCash Tap to Pay

1. Under “Settings”, open “Connections”
2. Enable “NFC and contactless payments”.
3. Log in to your GCash app.
4. Tap “Tap To Pay”.
5. Agree to the stated terms and conditions.
6. Your “Tap To Pay” feature should now be activated!

How to use GCash Tap To Pay

1. Log in to your GCash app
2. Tap your phone on the store's POS terminal. Done!

Experience it for yourself today and download the GCash app on the App Store or Google Play Store.

SEC approval of global stock trading sandbox paves way for GStocks Global launch

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has paved the way for Filipinos to invest in some of the world’s biggest companies after it approved the regulatory sandbox for local players like GCash to offer global stock investments.

(L-R) GCash chief regulatory officer Atty. Cef Sison, wealth management general manager Arjun Varma and vice president and new businesses group head Winsley Bangit with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson and CEO Atty. Emilio Aquino, commissioner Atty. McJill Bryant Fernandez, commissioner Atty. Javey Paul D. Francisco, and Philippine Fintech Innovations Office director Atty. Paolo Ong.

This initiative marks a pioneering step toward making global investing more accessible and seamless for Filipinos, while upholding strong safeguards and regulatory oversight to protect users.

While many Filipinos are eager to invest in global companies, they often face challenges such as complicated account setups, foreign currency requirements, and unfamiliar platforms. These barriers can make global investing seem daunting and out of reach. GStocks Global aims to break down these obstacles by providing a simple, secure, and locally regulated way for users to invest in global stocks using Philippine Pesos, right within the app.

This move also supports the broader mission of GCash to democratize investing by lowering the long-standing barriers that have kept global markets out of reach for most Filipinos.

“We’re proud to be working closely with the SEC to ensure this offering meets the highest standards of safety and compliance. The sandbox allows us to test and learn while putting user protection at the core. For the first time, Filipinos can access global stock markets through a platform they already trust—GCash,” said GCash vice president and head of new businesses Winsley Bangit.

With the sandbox in place, GCash, through a partnership with EasyEquities, will enable users to buy and sell shares of select global companies using Philippine Pesos, with no need for a US Dollar account or separate platform.

“This offering will initially be in a test phase within a sandbox environment and will only be available to select, eligible users. This phased rollout allows GCash and its partners to ensure quality and gather valuable feedback while ensuring regulatory safeguards remain in place,” said Bangit.

The offering marks the first time Filipinos can explore global investing in a way that is both convenient and fully integrated within a local fintech platform. This initiative also reinforces GCash’s commitment to ‘Finance for All’, ensuring that more Filipinos can participate in global markets with tools that are simple, safe, and designed with local needs in mind.

As it continues its evolution as the country’s leading finance app, GCash extends the boundaries of what everyday users can achieve with just a few taps and brings global wealth-building within reach. For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.