GCash brings Wais Tindera Caravan to Iloilo MSMEs

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — GCash brought financial literacy and digital empowerment to grassroots entrepreneurs through its Wais Tindera Caravan in Barangay Calaparan, Villa Arevalo, on July 30.

Held in celebration of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Month, the caravan gathered sari-sari store owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and residents for learning sessions on financial literacy, responsible borrowing, digital payments and business growth in an increasingly cashless economy.

The initiative aims to help micro, small and medium enterprises embrace digitalization by providing practical financial knowledge and tools that make business transactions faster, safer and more accessible.

MSMEs account for 99.5% of businesses in the Philippines and play a vital role in employment and economic growth.

However, many MSMEs continue to face challenges in accessing financing, adopting digital technologies and participating in the formal financial system.

Beyond supporting entrepreneurs, the program highlighted how digital financial services can simplify everyday transactions and improve financial access for local communities.

Through GCash, residents can pay utility bills, purchase mobile load, transfer money and access other financial services without traveling long distances or waiting in line.

Barangay Calaparan Chairman Renante G. Tubola welcomed the initiative, saying it benefits both entrepreneurs and residents.

“GCash is very important for our residents, especially those who own businesses or want to start one. It makes paying bills such as electricity, telephone, and mobile load much faster, while sending money to family members living far away becomes easier. It is a big help in the daily lives of our people,” Tubola said.

Tubola said digital payment platforms also contribute to more efficient barangay transactions by providing residents with greater financial convenience.

He added that the platforms support faster and more accessible public services as communities continue to embrace digitalization.

As part of its financial inclusion initiatives, GCash showcased its digital ecosystem, including GCash Pera Outlet, digital payment solutions and Fuse Financing, its lending arm that expands entrepreneurs’ access to formal credit.

The company said these services are designed to help small businesses grow sustainably while promoting responsible borrowing and wider adoption of digital financial services.

The initiative also supports the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ efforts to promote financial literacy and expand access to formal financial services nationwide.

According to GCash, Fuse Financing had disbursed PHP 406 billion in loans to 11.1 million unique borrowers as of the first quarter of 2026.

The company said 85% of those borrowers received formal credit for the first time.

More than one in three borrowers are MSMEs, while two in five are women, according to GCash.

The company said the figures reflect its commitment to expanding financial services to traditionally underserved sectors.

Through the Wais Tindera Caravan, GCash said it continues to empower Filipino entrepreneurs, advance financial inclusion and help communities thrive through digital innovation.