GCash Empowers Farmers with Digital Financial Literacy and Faster Access to Insurance Claims

GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, recently launched the pilot run of its digital financial literacy caravan in cooperation with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). This supports the program of the government-owned agricultural insurer to deliver indemnity payments to farmers nationwide through GCash.

 

With the MOA signing between PCIC and GCash that enabled the agency’s adoption of faster and more secure digital indemnity payments, PCIC can now efficiently disburse billions worth of insurance proceeds to millions of insured farmers nationwide in real time.

“The long-term vision of our corporation is really to facilitate the efficient distribution of payouts for our farmers and fisherfolk [especially in far-flung areas],” said Israel Dela Cruz, PCIC business development and marketing manager. “One way of doing that is through GCash, which was able to [kickstart] the adoption of e-wallets [and] is a big help to PCIC’s digitalization program.”

 

“Ang GCash ang pinakamalaking digital platform, kaya ito napili ng PCIC para maging partner sa indemnity ng mga magsasaka,” shared Julius Batenga, regional manager of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation-Regional Office 8 (PCIC-RO8). “Kasama sa partnership namin with GCash ‘yung financial literacy programs na kung saan [tinuturuan] ang mga farmer para sa overall access nila sa financial services.”

 

(“GCash is the largest digital platform, which is why it was chosen as PCIC’s partner for the indemnity payments for farmers. Included in our partnership with GCash are the financial literacy programs where farmers are taught how to gain overall access to financial services.”)

 

In addition to indemnity payments or insurance claim payouts, this collaboration breaks barriers to financial inclusion for farmers in rural areas by eliminating the need to encash cheques at the bank, which requires considerable travel. This also allows Filipino farmers to easily access a wealth of digital financial services at their fingertips, including tools for savings, investments, microloans, and more.

 

“With the partnership of GCash [and] the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, hindi na maghintay ang mga farmers na mabigay sa kanila ang tseke for their insurance claims,” shared Alda Lou Cabrera, manager for public sector national government accounts for GCash. “Pwede na sa GCash nila mismo ito direstong matanggap kaya very convenient kahit nasaang lugar man sila.”

 

(“With the partnership of GCash [and] the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, the farmers do not need to wait for checks to receive their insurance claim. They can now directly receive [this] through GCash conveniently anywhere they are.”)

 

Beyond the digital disbursement initiative, the PCIC x GCash Digital Financial Literacy Caravan equips Filipino farmers with the knowledge and tools for making informed financial decisions, investing in their personal growth and future, and taking charge of their finances for greater independence.

 

Fueled by GCash’s mission of “Finance For All,” the grassroots initiative first brought the holistic financial literacy program to 300 farmers in Candaba, Pampanga, and 200 farmers in San Rafael, Bulacan, on April 3 and 4, respectively. An overwhelming majority of attendees in both locations expressed interest in receiving their insurance claims via GCash, highlighting the importance of supporting digital financial inclusion in rural areas.

 

“Maraming dahilan kung bakit ako na-convince. Nakita ko ‘yung mga merong GCash at madali ang kanilang transaksyon sa lahat ng bagay: sa pagbabayad, sa pangongolekta, at iba-iba pa,” shared Geronimo Sagum, a farmer who participated in the PCIC x GCash Digital Financial Literacy Caravan.

 

(“There are many reasons why I was convinced [to sign up for GCash]. I saw those with GCash and that their transactions are easy for a lot of things: to make payments, to receive payments, and so much more.”)

 

With the ongoing partnership, PCIC and GCash aim to drive digital innovation to make financial services accessible to more Filipino farmers nationwide, ensuring no one is left behind.

 

As the two organizations continue to acknowledge the role of the agricultural sector as the backbone of the country, they hope to foster greater digital financial literacy among farmers and bring the PCIC x GCash Digital Financial Literacy Caravan to more provinces and rural farmer communities.

The Time Is Now: Why The Country Must Wean Itself Off Fossil Fuels

Manila, Philippines – April 29, 2025 –  Last April 22, our country joined the rest of the world in observing Earth Day, the event meant to increase awareness about environmental issues. No doubt, one of the questions on the minds of many who attended was how to decrease our country’s dependence on fossil fuels, particularly in generating electricity. Fossil fuels are one of the main sources of greenhouse gases, which in turn drive climate change. The Philippines gets about 78% of its electricity from fossil fuels. This is significant when you consider the role of climate change in extreme weather events.

Just last year, our country experienced a record-breaking typhoon season. No less than six storm systems hit our shores in less than a month, culminating in super typhoon Pepito. The result is some 200,000 Filipinos being displaced. This trend of extreme weather is not just confined to our country, as the United States experienced an abnormally active hurricane season in 2024. And extreme weather is most likely to be the norm.

But it’s not just storms that we have to deal with; 2024 has proven to be the warmest year on record, and this year doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Just this March, classes were suspended in the NCR due to the heat. These extreme weather patterns highlight the need for our country to transition away from fossil fuels for our electrical needs and adopt a cleaner, more sustainable alternative.

One of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels is nuclear energy. At the forefront of advocating for this change is Alpas Pinas, a non-stock, non-profit organization advocating for clean, cheap, and reliable energy.

According to one of the NGO’s lead advocates, Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Cong. Mark O. Cojuangco, “Right now, our country gets about 78% of its energy needs from coal, which needs to be burned. As one can imagine, this produces a lot of emissions, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. A typical nuclear power plant produces nearly zero greenhouse gases, making it one of the cleanest energy sources available.”

Alpas Pinas’ lead convenor Gayle Certeza added: “Not only is nuclear energy cleaner, the energy it produces is also less costly, resulting in lower electrical bill for Filipino households.” Certeza continued, “This means more resources for other urgent household expenses.”

Certeza added: “There is also another significant benefit with adopting nuclear energy. The clean nature of this energy source means improved air quality over time. This can, in turn, improve the respiratory health of our kababayans.”

For his part, Dr. Caloy Arcilla of the Philippine Nuclear Reseach Institute had this to say: “We believe that we should start moving away from fossil fuels for our country’s energy needs sooner rather than later, considering the many detrimental side effects their emissions pose to the environment."

 

Manila’s Finest Take the Floor at Red Bull Dance Your Style Regional Qualifier

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Red Bull Dance Your Style has electrified the streets of Manila with another round of high-energy dance matchups during the Manila Qualifier last April 25 at XYLO at The Palace. Top freestyle dancers from Manila and neighboring cities competed in

fierce one-on-one battles for a highly coveted spot at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final in Cebu.

The regional qualifier coincided with Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour’s stop in the Philippines, adding to the fun and excitement of the event.

The City’s Finest Shine at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila Qualifier

Manila witnessed another electrifying competition as the region’s top dancers were challenged to showcase their creativity, improvisation, and freestyling prowess set to a random selection of tunes at the regional qualifier. In true Red Bull Dance Your Style fashion, the crowd wielded the power to decide which dancer moved on to the next round with Jigoro

ultimately claiming victory.

“I’m so happy and it’s all worth it,” said Jigoro about their win. “Being a full-time dancer, (this is) a big feat for me.” He also cites the support from his friends and the support from his community for his drive during the competition.

For Jigoro, the highlight of his Red Bull Dance Your Style experience is the local dance community’s support for each other. “Despite the fierce competition on the battle stage, all the love from my fellow competitors is really one of the most memorable things to me about

the competition.”

This win also earns Jigoro their ticket to compete at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fly to Los Angeles, USA as the Philippines’ representative at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final. Jigoro and EBOY, the Manila Qualifier runner up, will join SUJI and SPADECKX, from the Davao Qualifier, in the lineup of finalists for the National Final. 

Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour Lights Up Manila’s Dance Scene

Manila became a dance hub as Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour landed in the Philippines. Vietnamese Popping sensation and 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion MT Pop came to Manila to immerse in the local dance scene and connect with the emerging talent in the Philippines. This gave the global and local street dancers a rare opportunity to come together and help elevate street dance in Asia. Japanese Hip-Hop dancer and 2022 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion THE D Soraki, as well as Korean Waacking queen and 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style Korea National Finalist Yoon Ji joined MT Pop for the Manila stop of the tour.

“It’s been a long time coming,” remarked MT Pop. “I’ve really been wanting to come to the Philippines, and a lot of dancers from here have been messaging me to ask when I will come here. Finally, I’m in the Philippines and I’m really happy to be here.” He added, “Immediately, everybody has given us such a warm welcome and shown us a lot of love.”

For MT Pop, the chance to encounter dancers in Southeast Asia is the most important thing about the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour. “I’m from Vietnam, and I’m happy to get a chance to spotlight great dancers from Southeast Asia and share the stage with them.” On what he wants to impart on local dancers, MT Pop said, “Just keep going. Keep learning.

Everybody has had (their share of) difficulties, but for me what’s important is that when we love it, we do it. Dream it. Wish it. And, do it.”

The global dancers were also in attendance during the Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila Qualifier. “The final battle was really fire. And with everybody vibing here, with good music, it really was the perfect night.” MT Pop’s rise from a local street dancer in Vietnam to a global champion underscores how Red Bull Dance Your Style opens doors for dancers. Red Bull Dance Your Style highlights freestyle dance as a universal art expression that can connect communities from all over the world.

All Eyes on Cebu for the Next Battle Wave

The Red Bull Dance Your Style journey does not stop in Manila as the competition gears up for its qualifier round in Cebu. Another set of elite dancers are challenged to bring their best moves to secure their spot in the National Finals and stand a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly out to Los Angeles, USA to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final this October 11.

To join the Cebu Qualifiers, register through THIS link. Catch the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals in Cebu on May 24. Visit Red Bull’s website to register and get your tickets.

Follow MT Pop and the rest of the global dancers’ journey across Asia with the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour. Support the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finalists as they prepare to go head-to-head in Cebu this May.

For more information and updates, visit the official Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok )