GCash, WOW LEAP partner to empower Filipinos with disabilities

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GCash, the country’s leading finance super app, has partnered with WOW LEAP, Inc. (Women with Disabilities Leap to Social and Economic Progress) to support the financial wellness of persons with disabilities (PWDs) through its mission of “Finance For All.”

The collaboration is part of the “Kahit Sino, Kaya” campaign, which highlights inspiring stories and aims to foster a more inclusive Philippines.

WOW LEAP is a pioneering organization led by women with disabilities, focused on advocating for access, gender equality, and social inclusion.

The partnership with GCash includes initiatives such as sponsorship programs, fundraising activities, and capacity-building workshops designed to empower PWDs and create a more accessible financial landscape.

“Inclusion is one of our core values, and GCash is at the forefront of financial inclusion,” said Neil Trinidad, Chief Marketing Officer of GCash. “The persons with disabilities sector is among the most underserved.

Of the 1.9 million disability cases in the Philippines, 673,000 have physical disabilities. Only 11% of persons with disabilities are employed, and only 9.6% are banked.”

One of the first projects under this partnership was the donation of wheelchairs to patients at the Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC), supported by Visa.

These donations aim to help beneficiaries maintain independence and improve their quality of life post-disability.

Dr. Raul Cembrano, Director of Rehabilitation Medicine at the POC, emphasized the center’s commitment to customizing each wheelchair to meet the specific needs of its users.

The outreach effort is closely aligned with the advocacy work of Adeline “Adz” Dumapong, the Philippines’ first Paralympic Games medalist and the current Project Manager of Capacity Development at WOW LEAP.

Dumapong, who trained at the POC, highlighted the importance of allies in advocating for PWDs. “We cannot do it alone; we need allies, not just in opening mindsets, but also in action,” she said.

The partnership extends beyond mobility aids, with GCash and WOW LEAP focusing on enhancing access to education and funding for PWDs. GCash plans to develop a financial literacy module that will cover essential topics such as digital financial security, investments, insurance, and savings. Additionally, the GCash app will be used to facilitate fundraising efforts, including WOW LEAP’s current drive for disability rights programs, accessible through a dedicated GCash QR code.

Carmen Zubiaga, President of WOW LEAP, praised GCash for amplifying Dumapong’s story through its campaign and underscored the role of sports in empowerment and inclusion. “Adz will bring hope and energy for women with disabilities, parents of children and youth with disabilities, and local stakeholders in disability inclusion to engage in organizing community sports activities to discover the talents and abilities of these people that will promote paralympic sports,” Zubiaga said.

Through these initiatives, GCash is committed to breaking down barriers to financial inclusion for PWDs, making financial security more accessible, and fostering collective action for a more inclusive society.