Leading mobile wallet app GCash continuously innovates digital financial products and services to help boost the growth of women-led enterprises, especially the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
“GCash is at the forefront of making financial services accessible to all Filipinos. As more than 50% of GCash users and social sellers are women, we empower millions of women in business all over the Philippines with real-time payments and transfers, and various affordable financial services that fit their everyday needs,” said GCash President & CEO Martha Sazon.
In pursuing digital transformation, retailers and FMCG companies relied on GCash for a secure digital payment channel that complements their e-commerce strategies. “Retailers and entrepreneurs shifted to having an e-commerce shop and online selling. People started embracing digital payments for ordering food and groceries online. The Filipinos pivoted and embraced technology, and we really saw the shift to digital adoption,” said Racquel Holazo, Key Accounts, Conglomerates & Fast-moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Head of GCash.
An example is National Book Store, which adapted to the challenges of the pandemic through strategies such as offering cashless payments inside the branch and implementing a Text/Viber-to-Order service. “All of these have been supported by GCash, which enables our customers to enjoy safe and seamless cashless transactions at our stores or from the comfort of their homes,” shared Xandra Ramos-Padilla, Managing Director of National Book Store.
Another essential service provider supporting MSMEs and contributing to the country’s economic recovery is instant courier app Lalamove. “Since the onset of the pandemic, Lalamove’s top priority has been to ensure continued access to livelihood for our Partner Drivers and fast delivery service to our users,” said Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director, Lalamove Philippines. To ensure the safety of its partner drivers and customers, Lalamove partners with GCash in providing a cashless payment option.
GCash also helps companies in enhancing talent experience. “Implementing the GCash digital wallet as part of our rewards program provides flexibility to support our staff’s varying needs and the convenience for them to fully enjoy their much-deserved rewards. This helps us optimize the value of our rewards program,” Hazel Banas, Vice President for Human Resources of Concentrix said.
The convenience of having an e-wallet is felt not just in private companies but also in government and government-controlled enterprises. “Adoption of digital payments has become a necessity within the public sector to enable safe and convenient transactions for Filipinos during the pandemic,” said Cathlyn Pavia, Public Sector & Partnerships Head of GCash.
The Makati city government, for instance, has partnered with GCash to optimize its Makatizen Card program. At the height of the pandemic, Makati was the first city in Metro Manila to use the GCash platform, one of the Makatizen Card’s main features, to distribute cash aid to Makatizens. It was also the first city to transfer the biggest amount to the most number of beneficiaries in one day—P360 million to over 72,000 Makatizens. “This digital innovation has allowed us to connect to our constituents and help them during difficult times despite the restrictions on mobility, becoming a lifeline during the pandemic,” shared Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.
Aside from fund transfers and real-time payments, 55 million registered GCash users benefit from digital financial products and services like bank accounts and credit lines, insurance protections, cash loans, and investment marketplaces.
“Aside from providing payment options, GCash has started offering GLoan, a lending program that can help up and coming businesses continue funding their ventures without worrying about high interest rates,” said Arielle Wang, Enterprise Team Lead for Conglomerates.
