Isla ng Pag-asenso: How GCash helps Guimaras MSMEs go digital to earn more

MANILA, Philippines — Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone and drivers of the economy, comprising 99.6% of all business establishments in the country and generating 67% of total employment—according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

They are the heart of local communities—creating jobs, providing livelihoods, supporting families, even preserving traditions.

However, MSMEs must innovate to keep up with the changing demands in business, and entrepreneurs in Guimaras, an island province known for its sweet mangoes and artisanal products, know this too well.

Keeping up with modern demands in business, they know that manual bookkeeping, paying suppliers in person, and other traditional methods can limit their growth and increase costs, especially since they are island-based.

And now, they are future-proofing their operations with GCash, making transactions easier, faster and cost-efficient.

Here are five inspiring MSME stories that show how digital finance can streamline processes, expand market reach and strengthen businesses—all while focusing on creating quality products for customers.

1. Rebecca Tubongbanua of McNester Food Products

(Products: calamansi juice and concentrate, dried mangoes, mango ketchup, mango sauce)

Tubongbanua founded McNester Food Products in 2003 with a modest capital of P7,000. As a small kitchen operation, everything was prepared by hand and managed manually, from sourcing raw materials to paying suppliers and clients.

She shares the challenges of running the business in its early years, which was eventually addressed by digital solutions: “Our operations were entirely manual. Eventually, with the rise of new technologies, we digitized our processes, from modern equipment to financial operations. Today, we no longer use checks for payment transactions.”

Integrating GCash into their system has been a significant help to McNester Food Products, allowing it to exchange products and payments in real time. GCash also enables the company to pay for FDA permit renewals and transmit PhilHealth and other employee benefits on schedule.

Through persistence and smart use of technology, McNester has now grown into a recognized brand, bringing Guimaras products to the rest of the country and the world.

2. Rosario Griesser of Guimaras Wonder’s Farm

(Products: fresh mangoes, cucumbers, other fruits and vegetables)

Guimaras Wonder’s Farm began when Griesser and her husband relocated from Bulacan in 2001 and purchased a seven-hectare mango tree farm on the island.

They transformed it into a sustainable and organic farm producing vegetables and other fruits. It has also become a tourist attraction and learning center for other farmers and agriculture students.

“We consider ourselves early adopters of digital payment methods through GCash, which wasn’t widely used until the pandemic hit. Today, GCash accounts for 90% of our transactions, saving us both time and the cost of traveling from the farm to the town center for financial dealings. GCash is fast, convenient, and secure—I’ve never experienced losing money through it,” says Griesser about the role of digital finance in their business.

The farm’s success proves that embracing technology can make operations smoother and more efficient while fostering sustainability.

3. Rona Fe Delgado of Nonnie’s Delicacies

(Products: polvoron, mango lengua)

Delgado took over Nonnie’s Delicacies in 2016 to continue her family legacy. Through her mother’s dedication and hard work—with early mornings spent preparing products and making sure deliveries reached customers on time—the business grew to what it is today.

The pandemic brought new challenges, including difficulty in face-to-face transactions. But with GCash, Nonnie’s Delicacies adapted quickly.

When the pandemic hit, they finally opened a GCash account, which became their main tool for handling transactions.

“Customers could pay us instantly, we used it to settle payments with our suppliers, and we were even able to pay our workers in the community. It made everything so much more convenient. Managing the business became a lot easier with GCash in place,” Delgado shares.

4. Rhodora Garunita of Parolas Guimaras

(Products: serafina, mango piaya)

After returning from abroad in 2015, Garunita explored several small business ventures before creating her own brand, Parolas, which means “lighthouse.”

“We joined a trade fair in Iloilo and sold mangoes and pasalubong items. We saw a lot of potential and asked ourselves, ‘Why not create something of our own?’ That gave birth to Parolas, a brand that would guide us toward product innovation and entrepreneurship,” explains Garunita.

She shares how GCash streamlined her sales. Customers now reach them through their Facebook page and website, with payments and deliveries collected via GCash.

Parolas shows how digital adoption can make even small businesses highly accessible to customers.

5. Merly and Shaira Galanto of Merly Cashew Nuts and Delicacies

(Products: cashew nuts, butterscotch, tarts)

The Galantos’ journey began after Merly left her job as an OFW to return home and start a small store in 2002.

With a capital of just P30,000 from savings, their family chose the cashew nut business, taking advantage of abundant local resources of Guimaras.

“Merly Cashew Nuts and Delicacies has expanded to include other products, and we adopted GCash as our preferred cashless payment method. It has earned our trust by enabling quick and secure transactions, especially during trade fairs,” Shaira explains.

With determination and digital adoption, Merly Cashew Nuts has become a successful business supporting the Galanto family and their community.

Technology is most powerful when it enables people to thrive

These five MSMEs are perfect examples of how digital finance can help strengthen local businesses.

By using tools like GCash, Guimaras entrepreneurs are keeping up with market demands and future-proofing their operations, as well as contributing to the province’s economic growth.

Technology is most powerful when it enables people to thrive, allowing small businesses to shine on a bigger stage—just like the Guimaras ladies empowered by digital finance.

For more information on how GCash can help MSMEs grow, visit www.gcash.com.