GCash in its pursuit for Finance For All, is one with persons with disabilities in their journey toward financial progress. As part of its long-going effort to support the community, GCash engaged with the community in a conversation on financial literacy at the “We Urge Disability Inclusion Summit.”
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GCash, the Philippines' leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, in its pursuit for Finance For All, is one with persons with disabilities in their journey toward financial progress. As part of its long-going effort to support the community, GCash engaged with the community in a conversation on financial literacy at the “We Urge Disability Inclusion Summit.”
At the event hosted by the Women with Disabilities LEAP to Social and Economic Progress or WOW Leap Foundation, GCash Commercial Head of Wealth Management Darvin Sy Su introduced the concepts of savings, investments, retirement, among other topics, emphasizing the need for persons with disabilities to have access to financial tools, and sparking their interest to begin securing their financial future.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Financial Inclusion report, of the total 1.9 million persons with disabilities in the country, only 9.6% are banked.
"This is our opportunity to help,"
Sy Su said.
"We closely work with this sector so we can help every Filipino with disabilities to have savings, investments, and in the future, be able to retire. We are here today because we want to empower this community with financial know-how: to thrive every day, to be ready for a rainy day, and to prepare for a brighter 'one day'"
With the ease and accessibility of GCash, persons with disabilities are empowered to manage their finances independently. Those with mobility challenges or those in far-flung areas particularly benefit from the convenience of paying and transacting from the comfort of their own homes, without having to go to physical banks and to ask for assistance. This is also true for opening a savings account, applying for insurance, or taking out loans.
Beyond financial services, Sy Su highlighted GCash's other initiatives towards financial inclusion of persons with disabilities. The journey of paralympic athlete Adeline 'Adz' Dumapong, as featured on GCash Stories, made waves on the Internet, being a source of inspiration for persons with disabilities to break barriers and reach for their dreams.
Sy Su also showcased GCash's partnership with Visa for the donation of wheelchairs to Philippine Orthopedic Center last July, as well as ongoing financial literacy talks in other communities via the DigiCities program in partnership with local government units.
In the workplace, Sy Su said that GCash has partnered with the National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA), pledging to integrate comprehensive policies, innovative programs, and accessible spaces for persons with disabilities.
"Totoong life changing [ang GCash]. Feeling ko nabubuhay ako sa GCash. Lahat ng transactions ko nasa GCash na: Grab man yan, restaurants, shopping, travel (GCash really is life-changing, it's what helps me get through life. All my transactions are on GCash, whether it's for Grab, restaurants, shopping, and travel.),”
visually impaired disability rights advocate Beverly Bravo shared during a question and answer panel with Sy Su.
Bravo highlighted the importance of independence and autonomy when it comes to financial transactions. She said that persons with disabilities such as herself want to be able to navigate processes without having to ask for assistance.
"The opposite of accessibility is exclusion, and nobody wants to be excluded in any aspect in life, especially the financial aspect,"
Bravo remarked.
"Babalik pa rin tayo sa pinaka-basic: the lack of awareness pa rin. 'Di nila alam that a person with disability kayang magkaroon ng sariling mag trabaho, kayang mag-support ng family nila, kaya naming maging independent talaga. Yun din ang ang gusto naming iparating. And in terms of GCash, sobrang life-changing talaga. (We go back to the most basic aspect: the lack of awareness. People don't know a person with disability can have their own work, support their families, and become independent. This is something we want to show. And in terms of GCash, it has become so life-changing.)"
“When it comes to integrating persons with disabilities into society, economic empowerment and independence are essential,”
Sy Su said at the sidelines of the event.
“GCash is actively working to give persons with disabilities the tools to succeed for their financial security and prosperity, in our vision of a financially inclusive Philippines.”
