Government launches RTB 31 to boost financial inclusion

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto officially launched the 31st tranche of the Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB 31) on August 5, 2025 to make investing accessible to every Filipino.

RTB 31 is a five-year investment instrument with a gross annual interest rate of 6.000%, paid quarterly until its maturity on August 20, 2030.

The public offering runs from August 5 to August 15, 2025, with a minimum investment requirement of just PHP 5,000.

These government-backed securities are considered virtually risk-free and offer an opportunity for Filipinos to earn stable returns while helping fund national development priorities.

To expand reach and encourage participation, the bonds are available over-the-counter, via online banking channels, and through GBonds on GCash.

GBonds—powered by GCash, in partnership with the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX) and Bonds.ph—enables verified users to invest for as little as PHP 500, with no bank account required.

This innovation is part of the government’s broader push for financial inclusion, aimed at bringing investment tools to millions of unbanked and underserved Filipinos.

“[W]e are aggressively making our RTBs available and accessible to everyone—gaya ng mga estudyante, OFWs, sari-sari store owners, farmers, and young professionals. Anyone who wants their money to work as hard as they do,” Recto said.

He emphasized that each RTB purchased contributes directly to the country’s economic development and social programs.

“Ito lang ang investment na doble doble ang balik sayo. Dahil bawat RTB na nabibili ay bumabalik hindi lamang bilang interest, kundi bilang mga imprastraktura, estudyanteng libreng nakakapag-aral, at bawat pamilyang naiaahon natin sa kahirapan,” he said.

Recto reaffirmed the Department of Finance’s (DOF) commitment to protect investors’ money through sound, transparent, and purposeful fiscal governance.

“For we treat it as a sacred bond between the government and Filipino citizens. Between your hard-earned money and our promise to use it wisely, transparently, and purposefully with the future of the next generation in mind,” he said.

The launch also coincided with the recent passage of the Capital Market Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA), a reform that aims to reduce the cost of investing and democratize access to capital markets.

“Panahon na para ang capital market ay hindi na lang para sa mayayaman o sa mga eksperto sa finance. Ito ay para sa bawat Pilipinong nangangarap ng financial security,” Recto added.

Also present at the launch were DOF Undersecretary Domini Velasquez, National Treasurer Sharon Almanza, GCash Mynt President and CEO Martha Sazon, PDAX CEO Nichel Gaba, LANDBANK PCEO Lynette Ortiz, and DBP PCEO Michael De Jesus.