Tech About PH

There’s something about summer that naturally makes you think of home. It’s in the longer days, the school breaks, the fiestas, and those familiar moments that feel best shared with family. But let’s be honest, traveling home to the province isn’t as easy as it used to be. Rising costs and day-to-day expenses have turned what was once a simple “Uwi ako this weekend” into something that needs a bit more planning. The good news is that going home is still possible. With the right preparation and a little help when you need it, those summer plans don’t have to stay as “sana.” They can turn into something you can actually look forward to. Because at the end of the day, going home isn’t about spending big. It’s about being there. Making Essential Trips More Manageable Start with a clear, realistic budget Planning your trip early can make a big difference. List down your expected expenses, from transportation and meals to small extras, so you know exactly what to prepare for. If you're f...

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and GCash have partnered to enable OFWs to pay their membership fees via the GCash app. OFWs can now pay membership fees conveniently and securely using the Bills Pay feature of GCash, anytime, anywhere. This comes at a critical time, as the ongoing Middle East conflict heightens the need for safe, reliable, and accessible digital solutions for Filipinos.   Active membership provides essential support, including emergency repatriation services and reintegration, as well as social benefits like healthcare, legal assistance, and livelihood programs. By digitizing the renewal process, OWWA and GCash are helping ensure that Filipinos have uninterrupted access to these benefits and protections, especially during crises.   “Digitizing the OWWA membership renewal via GCash is a vital component of how our agency is continuously modernizing for the benefit of our countrymen working abroad,” said Atty. Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, OWWA ...

GCash has extended zero fees for transfers to and from the Middle East until April 30, 2026 to help ease the financial burden of its users and their families amid the ongoing developments in the region.   The initiative allows overseas Filipinos in affected areas to stay connected with loved ones back home and to receive assistance without added costs. This supports the national government's continuing efforts to prioritize the safety and welfare of overseas Filipinos.   This means Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan will not be charged for their bank transfers to the Philippines and other transactions like buy load and pay bills. Waived transaction fees will be credited back via in-app cashback. No registration is required, eligible fees will be automatically returned to GCash user accounts, and users will receive an in-app notification confirming that the cashback has been successfully credited. ...

Millions of Filipinos today navigate daily life with the support of digital financial tools, and for GCash, the momentum behind many of these solutions begins within its own workforce. Within its offices, there is a strong culture that encourages employees to take initiative, collaborate across disciplines, and develop services grounded in real user needs, reflecting its view that meaningful innovation is driven by empowered teams working toward shared impact across the Philippines. This relentless customer obsession ensures that every solution developed is grounded in users' real needs. This direction is shaped by its core values “Change the Game” and “Care Like Owners,” which influence how teams approach both product development and problem-solving. Supporting this mindset is what the company calls its Happiness Chain, a cycle in which engaged employees create better solutions, satisfied users reinforce trust, and sustained growth allows continued shareholder investment in talent...

Paying government fees in Cotabato City has become faster, safer, and more convenient as the local government unit (LGU) officially rolled out cashless payment options with GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem.   Since the partnership launch in May 2024, the initiative has introduced Scan to Pay and Bills Pay features that allow citizens to settle local taxes and fees directly from their mobile phones using the GCash app. This effort eliminates long lines at city offices and reduces the risks that come with manual cash transactions.   The move addresses long-standing challenges in an LGU’s collection system: prolonged queues, cash-handling inefficiencies, limited payment channels, and the lack of digital infrastructure. These issues have affected operations, LGU employees, and constituents.   Through the Scan to Pay feature, users can simply scan a QR code displayed in city offices to pay instantly. The Bills Pay feature, on the ...

With the celebration of Women’s Month, Fuse Financing, Inc.—the lending arm of GCash— reaffirms its commitment to championing women by making credit more accessible and dignified.  Through a landmark Php 1.75 billion credit facility from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Fuse’s digital lending product GLoan,  Fuse is breaking long-standing barriers in traditional banking, providing Filipinos with a vital gateway to financing that helps keep their stores stocked, grow businesses, and bridge critical funding gaps for their families.   One of the borrowers is Juvy Camante, a 55-year-old store owner from Pateros. In the past, she avoided applying for loans because of complicated paperwork and strict requirements from traditional lenders. The simple application process of GLoan helped Camante overcome this barrier, providing her with confidence to use credit to support her business.   “Dati natatakot ako mangutang dahil sa dami ng requirements at baka hindi makabayad, ...

Across the Philippines, women play a critical role in the Philippines’ grassroots economy, with around 66% of nano, micro, and small enterprises (NMSMEs) owned by women who juggle both household responsibilities and the daily demands of running a business. Yet despite their critical role in local economies, many of these entrepreneurs continue to operate with limited access to digital financial tools and sustainable income opportunities.   This Women’s Month, GCash, the country’s leading finance super app, is spotlighting how GCash Pera Outlet is helping women-led microbusinesses strengthen their earnings and expand their participation in the digital economy. Within the GCash Pera Outlet network, more than 73% of partners are women nano and micro business owners who have transformed their neighborhood stores into hubs for digital financial services, earning additional income while expanding access to financial tools in their communities. Store owners can offer services such as cash...

In a showcase of public sector excellence, the 5th GCash Digital Excellence Awards (GDEA) officially set the benchmark for modern governance, honoring local government units (LGUs), national agencies, health care and education institutions that have successfully bridged the gap between traditional service and a digital-first Philippines   Held at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, this year’s theme, “Recognizing Digital Pioneers: Empowering the Public Sector for a Modern, Inclusive Philippines”, highlighted the vital role of government institutions in driving the country’s digital modernization. Through its digital payment infrastructure, GCash continues to support these public institutions in building secure, efficient, and citizen-focused services.   Across agencies, digitalization has created a stronger culture of transparency, reduced manual cash handling, and shortened transaction times. Citizens now exper...

Reinforcing its role in advancing financial literacy and inclusion nationwide, finance super app GCash introduces the Philippines’ first artificial intelligence–powered financial coach to be embedded in an e-wallet. Developed with support from Microsoft and powered by enterprise-grade AI, it converses in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, and Hiligaynon to make financial services easier to understand for all Filipinos. Pera Coach responds contextually to user prompts like financial goals, budget considerations, and risk appetite, delivering guidance personalized to each user’s financial journey.    Despite improvements in the country’s financial inclusion agenda in recent years, the ability to meaningfully use a broader range of financial services, like insurance and investments, remains limited. Persistent gaps in financial literacy contribute to this low adoption, with many Filipinos lacking access to clear and credible guidance. According to a 2021 survey by the...

Baguio City once again came alive with colors, blooms, and celebration as the Panagbenga Festival filled its streets with floats, music, and the vibrant spirit of the Cordillera community. Beyond the festivities, the festival also highlighted a deeper story unfolding on the ground: how local entrepreneurs—many of them small family-run businesses—are gaining greater access to financial tools that allow them to participate more fully in the local digital economy.   For many nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs), access to safe and convenient financial services is not just about efficiency—it is about opportunity, dignity in work, and the ability to grow their livelihoods. At this year’s Panagbenga Festival, GCash, the country’s leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, supported local merchants by bringing practical digital solutions and on-ground activities that help level the playing field for small businesses.  ...

GCash is waiving transaction fees on bank transfers, bill payments, and mobile load purchases for GCash Overseas users in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to help ease their financial burden amid the ongoing developments in the Middle East.  This initiative allows overseas Filipinos in affected areas to stay connected with loved ones back home and to receive assistance without added costs. This supports the national government's continuing efforts to prioritize the safety and welfare of overseas Filipinos. Waived transaction fees will be credited back via in-app cashback. No registration is required, and eligible fees will be automatically returned to GCash user accounts, and users will receive an in-app notification confirming that the cashback has been successfully credited. For transactions made from March 4—10, 2026, cashback will be credited back to users on March 20, 2026. Transactions from March 11—14, 2026 will receive cashbacks on Ma...

In support of the commitment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to promote inclusive and people-centered progress, GCash, the country’s leading finance app, took part in the 7th Bangsamoro Foundation Day by working alongside the Bangsamoro Government to deliver initiatives focused on digital inclusion, financial literacy, and community empowerment.   Recognizing that limited access to banking infrastructure remains a barrier to economic participation in many Bangsamoro communities, GCash partnered with the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) and the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) to bring practical, entry-level digital financial tools closer to citizens. Through these collaborations, the initiative aimed to reach households, beneficiaries, and communities that are often underserved or excluded from the formal financial system.   To help more Bangsam...

Days move fast. For daily commuters, they are a constant juggle—beating the rush, staying on schedule, and making sure you get from home to work as quickly as possible. Which is why nothing spikes commuter stress like realizing you’re low on balance—right when you’re already in line, already late, and already surrounded by equally rushed strangers.  Suddenly, it’s a scramble: searching for a top-up station, queuing behind others, or dealing with reloading machines that seem to break only during peak hours or even the ticket booths where card top-up lines merge with single-journey ticket purchases. In the middle of rush hour, these small hiccups turn into full-blown setbacks, proving that top-up problems don’t just delay your commute—they derail your entire day. One Less Thing to Worry About—Thanks to GCash   Somewhere between the morning rush and the daily routine, you discover GCash—and finally, no more second-guessing your balance while the line grows longer behind you, chec...

  The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has formally partnered with G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), the mobile wallet operator behind GCash, to significantly enhance the speed, security, and convenience of online travel tax refunds for Filipino travelers.   Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Makati City, TIEZA will now adopt the GCash Funds Disbursement Service (FDS) to facilitate the real-time crediting of approved travel tax refunds directly into the GCash wallets of eligible passengers.   This modernization initiative aligns with Executive Order No. 170, which mandates the adoption of digital payment systems across government, and Republic Act No. 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009), which empowers TIEZA to institute systems and partnerships that ensure the efficient administration of travel tax collection and refund services.   Making digital refunds seamless for Filipino travelers   Through the ...