To strengthen financial literacy and promote digital transformation in the Ilocos region, GCash, the Philippines’ leading mobile e-wallet, has sealed its partnership with the provincial government of La Union.
Through the partnership, GCash will collaborate with local government offices, employees, public market vendors and constituents of La Union for a series for financial literacy programs that will highlight the features and benefits of using digital wallets such as GCash and how this can make financial services more accessible to the public.
Provincial governor of La Union Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David expressed her enthusiasm towards the province’s first step to digitization.
“I thank GCash for stepping up as our partner as we bolster the provincial government’s capability to accept payments through digital and mobile means. This partnership signifies a lot as I myself am a proponent for the integration of new methods in governance and to always look for ways to make our processes fast, easy and convenient for all of our constituents. I am positive that this partnership will open more opportunities to further innovate our digital processes,” Ortegad David said.
Payments for such services as transfer of real property ownership, professional tax, annual fixed tax, sand and gravel tax, franchise tax, tax on printing and publication and other fees and charges can now be made through GCash.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and today’s technological trends prompted us all to adopt online platforms and services. With GCash providing digital payment solutions, PGLU (Provincial Government of La Union) clients and taxpayers shall enjoy convenient and safe cashless online transactions. PGLU is looking forward to a successful partnership with GCash,” said La Union provincial treasurer Janet Molina
The provincial government of La Union also aims to distribute financial assistance and scholars’ allowance via GCash.
“Partnerships with local government units allow GCash to continuously expand its reach in grassroot merchants of the province, such as market vendors, drivers associations, and sari-sari stores, fulfilling its mission of ‘Finance for All’,” said Martha Sazon, president and CEO of GCash.
La Union is among the latest provincial governments to have partnered with GCash. The municipalities of Bacnotan and Naguilian in La Union have also started to adopt GCash digital payment solutions.
GCash has already enabled over 40,000 vendors in various public markets across the country, including the San Fernando and San Juan public markets in La Union, the Super Iloilo Terminal Market and the Biñan Public Market in Laguna.
GCash’s efforts to encourage various towns and cities in the country to adopt digital payments solutions are all in line with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ goal of making the Philippines a ‘cash-lite’ society.
“We really want the country to be more financially inclusive, that means providing other services such as savings, insurance and even easier access to loans and so much more,” said Cathlyn Pavia, GCash assistant vice president and head of public sector and partnership.
