As the country’s gig economy booms with as many as 1.5 million Filipino freelancers engaged in global online platforms according to a report by Payoneer and GCash in 2022, Etiqa Philippines takes a proactive step to address the insurance needs of Filipinos from all segments of society including the emerging and underrepresented sectors.
Etiqa Philippines awarded 50 Personal Accident insurance policies to esports players and creative economy gigsters during the Esports and Creative Industries Festival as part of the Digital Pilipinas Festival x Festival of Festivals organized by Digital Pilipinas.
Gladys Pascual, Head of Strategy and Transformation at Etiqa Philippines, presented the Personal Accident insurance policies to Jako de Leon, President of the Creators and Influencers Council of the Philippines (CICP), who represented the creative economies gigsters, and Jab Escutin, Chief Operating Officer of BrenPro, Inc., who represented the esports players during the Esports and Creative Industries Festival.
Pascual said, “At Etiqa Philippines, we recognize the unique challenges faced by esports players and those engaged in the gig economy within the creative sector. We are committed to fostering inclusivity by addressing the distinct requirements of emerging markets and providing support to underrepresented segments.”
As the country’s leading advocate of insurtech, Etiqa Philippines is committed to delivering an outstanding customer experience by simplifying the insurance journey for Filipinos from all walks of life through technology. Etiqa Philippines aims to offer comprehensive insurance coverage for the various needs of people from different sectors including esports enthusiasts and creative economy gigsters.
“The awarding of these Personal Accident insurance policies underscores our dedication to ensuring the well-being and security of individuals participating in these dynamic and ever-evolving industries. The goal is for them to have a safety net for their assets and hard-earned money,” Pascual added.
As part of the CICP, De Leon highlighted the challenges faced by members of the creative industries. “The major problem for the gigster and freelance economy is that there are certain things that are for them, but even me as a content creator, I know a lot of people who don’t have benefits, who don’t have insurance, who don’t have the things that other people who work at companies might have. It’s a different world because they’re not only their own bosses; they’re also their own employees. They’re also their own everything else. They’re doing everything, and they’re having the hardest time.”
The CICP is an organization composed of creators, influencers, and marketers in the Philippines with the objective to shape, inspire, educate, and empower the creator and influencer industry by leading trainings, initiatives, and projects for the benefit of its members and stakeholders.
De Leon further expressed his concern about individuals who don’t have access to health insurance. “There are people that are just trying to make a living out of what they love, and if we do support that, and if the government has that recognition, then we pave a way for that. I know people who have passed away because they don’t have the right health benefits. It’s so hard for them to get health benefits even if they were making money. Once they get hospitalized, they cannot afford the hospitalization. They don’t have that access.”
Amor Maclang, the Convenor of Digital Pilipinas, the largest private sector-led movement for creating an innovation and technology ecosystem, was also present during the turnover of insurance policies. “This initiative is aligned with our commitment to empower those at the forefront of the creative and esports industries and foster a resilient ecosystem where innovation thrives and individuals can confidently pursue their passions. It represents a progressive move towards ensuring the sustainability and security of talents vital to the ever-expanding digital economy.”
During the festival, Digital Pilipinas entered two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU.) The first was with De Leon for PAMANA, a visionary platform dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of indigenous communities in the Philippines. The second was with Escutin, focusing on harnessing the potential of esports to cultivate talent, drive innovation, and create sustainable opportunities within the country’s digital economy.
Emphasizing the significance of these partnerships, Maclang shared, “This is just the beginning of how we can protect, preserve, and promote content.”
Representing BrenPro, Inc., a multimedia marketing and content creation company focused on gaming, tech, and events, Escutin expressed gratitude for the initiative. “We have been consistently bringing medals to the Philippines through our esports athletes. So that’s why we want to start a conversation what esports has done for the Philippines and what it can do to the future of our Filipino Athletes. I think this is the first step in terms of sustainability and support for our athletes in our industry as well.”
With the theme, “World: Meet ASEAN in a Digital Pilipinas: the Philippines as a Digital Bridgeway to ASEAN and to the world,” the Digital Pilipinas Festival 2 x Festival of Festivals was a weeklong festival that brought together tech and innovation leaders, industry experts, government regulators, country partners, sector representatives, and investors all in one venue to discuss how technology can solve the country’s most pressing issues today.
