GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, recently launched the pilot run of its digital financial literacy caravan in cooperation with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). This supports the program of the government-owned agricultural insurer to deliver indemnity payments to farmers nationwide through GCash.
With the MOA signing between PCIC and GCash that enabled the agency’s adoption of faster and more secure digital indemnity payments, PCIC can now efficiently disburse billions worth of insurance proceeds to millions of insured farmers nationwide in real time.
“The long-term vision of our corporation is really to facilitate the efficient distribution of payouts for our farmers and fisherfolk [especially in far-flung areas],” said Israel Dela Cruz, PCIC business development and marketing manager. “One way of doing that is through GCash, which was able to [kickstart] the adoption of e-wallets [and] is a big help to PCIC’s digitalization program.”
“Ang GCash ang pinakamalaking digital platform, kaya ito napili ng PCIC para maging partner sa indemnity ng mga magsasaka,” shared Julius Batenga, regional manager of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation-Regional Office 8 (PCIC-RO8). “Kasama sa partnership namin with GCash ‘yung financial literacy programs na kung saan [tinuturuan] ang mga farmer para sa overall access nila sa financial services.”
(“GCash is the largest digital platform, which is why it was chosen as PCIC’s partner for the indemnity payments for farmers. Included in our partnership with GCash are the financial literacy programs where farmers are taught how to gain overall access to financial services.”)
In addition to indemnity payments or insurance claim payouts, this collaboration breaks barriers to financial inclusion for farmers in rural areas by eliminating the need to encash cheques at the bank, which requires considerable travel. This also allows Filipino farmers to easily access a wealth of digital financial services at their fingertips, including tools for savings, investments, microloans, and more.
“With the partnership of GCash [and] the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, hindi na maghintay ang mga farmers na mabigay sa kanila ang tseke for their insurance claims,” shared Alda Lou Cabrera, manager for public sector national government accounts for GCash. “Pwede na sa GCash nila mismo ito direstong matanggap kaya very convenient kahit nasaang lugar man sila.”
(“With the partnership of GCash [and] the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, the farmers do not need to wait for checks to receive their insurance claim. They can now directly receive [this] through GCash conveniently anywhere they are.”)
Beyond the digital disbursement initiative, the PCIC x GCash Digital Financial Literacy Caravan equips Filipino farmers with the knowledge and tools for making informed financial decisions, investing in their personal growth and future, and taking charge of their finances for greater independence.
Fueled by GCash’s mission of “Finance For All,” the grassroots initiative first brought the holistic financial literacy program to 300 farmers in Candaba, Pampanga, and 200 farmers in San Rafael, Bulacan, on April 3 and 4, respectively. An overwhelming majority of attendees in both locations expressed interest in receiving their insurance claims via GCash, highlighting the importance of supporting digital financial inclusion in rural areas.
“Maraming dahilan kung bakit ako na-convince. Nakita ko ‘yung mga merong GCash at madali ang kanilang transaksyon sa lahat ng bagay: sa pagbabayad, sa pangongolekta, at iba-iba pa,” shared Geronimo Sagum, a farmer who participated in the PCIC x GCash Digital Financial Literacy Caravan.
(“There are many reasons why I was convinced [to sign up for GCash]. I saw those with GCash and that their transactions are easy for a lot of things: to make payments, to receive payments, and so much more.”)
With the ongoing partnership, PCIC and GCash aim to drive digital innovation to make financial services accessible to more Filipino farmers nationwide, ensuring no one is left behind.
As the two organizations continue to acknowledge the role of the agricultural sector as the backbone of the country, they hope to foster greater digital financial literacy among farmers and bring the PCIC x GCash Digital Financial Literacy Caravan to more provinces and rural farmer communities.
