ASPIRING EntrePinoys and small business owners from Novaliches can now sustain their means of livelihood, earn money from home and stay safe from the pandemic, thanks to Globe’s GCash app.

Globe has partnered with Pinas Forward  — a nation-building movement — in helping Filipinos shift to the ‘new normal’ lifestyle under a new livelihood program.

Under the livelihood program, select beneficiaries from the Savings and Loans Group of Muling Pagkabuhay Parish in Bagbag, Novaliches were given funds to start or sustain their businesses through the help of the GCash app.  Beneficiaries were also trained on financial literacy and use of e-wallets.

The undertaking is in line with Globe’s advocacy for financial inclusivity and using financial technology to serve the unbanked.

Bridging the Gap Between Financial Technology, Poverty

A study by the Women’s World Banking and the International Labour Organization showed that low income earners risk being left behind in Filipinos’ shift to digital solutions due to the pandemic.

This is because of the low earners’ inexperience and lack of trust in digital platforms, which GCash aims to solve by expanding the low-income population’s access to available digital financial services.

Father Ross Dela Cruz, from the Diocese of Novaliches, said GCash is a helpful solution for those who want to start a business but are low on capital.

The Savings and Loans Group is one of the approaches by the Diocese for community empowerment and savings mobilization of parishioners — most of whom are currently in low financial standing and living inside the cemetery beside the parish.

“Ang pandemya at ang mga problemang idinulot nito sa kabuhayan ng mga miyembro ng community ang inspirasyon [ng partnership na ito]. Gusto naming matulungan sila na magkaroon ng pagkakakitaan during these trying times para sila ay makabangon. GCash is perfect [for those starting a business] lalo na ngayong panahon kung saan napakaimportante ng safety and convenience,” the priest said.

GCash for all

This sentiment is echoed by Nicholas Allan Guerrero, a beneficiary who used the money he received from the program as an additional fund for their sari-sari store and new e-loading business in his hometown in Ilocos province.

“Mahalagang matuto tayo sa paggamit ng e-wallet kagaya ng GCash dahil ito ay cashless at mas convenient. Hindi na rin natin kailangan pang lumabas ng ating mga bahay kapag gagamit nito,” he said.

“Sa tulong ng programa ng Pinas Forward at SHeG, napalago namin ang aming negosyo sa tulong ng GCash. Dahil from P5,000.00 medyo lumalago na ito, ngayon ay umabot na ng Php 10k hanggang P30,000ang pinapaikot naming pera para sa GCash,” Nicholas added

Shiryl Pasacay, a 37-year-old mom of two kids, used the money she got from the program to sustain her sideline of buying and selling marinated meat. She now uses GCash as one of the modes of payment for her business, and she also started offering e-Loading services via GCash.

“Ang payment transactions ng customers ngayon ay through GCash. Malaki talaga ang tulong dahil cellphone lang ang gamit pero kikita ka na. Less ang physical contact kaya mas safe lalo na ngayong time ng pandemic,” Pasacay said. John Paul Bayson, another beneficiary, stressed the importance of finding innovative solutions to cope with the challenges brought by the pandemic in people’s livelihood. “Sa panahon ngayon, bida ang malikhain. Bida ang madiskarte. Sa pamamagitan ng e-wallets tulad ng GCash, nabibigyan ng oportunidad ang mga tao at maliit na negosyante like us to reach out more to clients and to give a safe and reliable way to earn a living,” she said.