GCash Highlights Role of National ID in Enabling Inclusive, Secure Finance at BSP Forum

A trusted digital identity system lays the foundation for true financial inclusion, helping ensure that every Filipino, regardless of their background or circumstances, can access essential financial services with confidence.

This was the central message at the recent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Forum on Digital Identity, where GCash, the country's leading finance finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, shared how its integration with the National ID eVerify Authentication Service (NIDAS) is making identity verification easier, more accessible, and more inclusive to help more Filipinos, especially those with limited access to traditional IDs, open an account.

Held at the BSP Assembly Hall, the forum brought together leaders from government, financial institutions, and the tech sector to examine how digital identity can support more secure and inclusive financial systems. Guided by the theme “Building Trust and Synergy in Digital Identity for an Inclusive and Secure Financial System,” the discussions emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation, and user-centric solutions that address real-world access challenges.

Representing GCash was Joanne Avendaño, vice president and head of customer experience management, who shared the company’s experience as the first and only Electronic Money Issuer integrated with NIDAS. This enables GCash users to validate their identity using their National ID in real-time, eliminating the need for multiple traditional IDs, which many Filipinos today still lack. This approach has helped reduce drop-offs during onboarding and has improved the success rate of account creation, especially among underserved groups. Most importantly, it has helped streamline onboarding for a broader range of users.

“Our partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has always been more than just ID acceptance. It’s a shared commitment to make sure that no Filipino is left behind in the digital economy,” said Avendaño. “By enabling real-time National ID validation and bringing services on-ground, we’re helping more Filipinos complete their verification journey with ease and confidence,” Avendaño added.

The forum also featured insights from the National Privacy Commission, World Bank, Korea Credit Information Services, and several units within the BSP. Topics ranged from data governance and consumer protection to practical implementation challenges and international benchmarks.

Avendaño joined fellow panelists from Asia United Bank, Seabank Philippines, Maya Philippines, and the Bankers Association of the Philippines in discussing the value of coordinated efforts, shared learnings, and responsible use of digital identity systems in strengthening public trust.

Beyond app integration, GCash has also worked with the PSA and local government units (LGUs) to support on-ground National ID registration and account onboarding events, which were held in schools, barangays, and underserved communities across the country. This approach brings both digital identity and financial access closer to Filipinos who need it most.

With digital ID adoption gaining momentum, GCash’s role as an early adopter highlights the importance of responsible integration, cross-sector collaboration, and community engagement in building a more accessible and inclusive financial ecosystem.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

PSA, GCash Make Account Verification more Accessible, Faster with National ID eVerify Integration

To streamline identity verification and make digital financial services more accessible to more Filipinos, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and leading finance super app GCash are working together to enable a more accessible verification process for e-wallet accounts, in line with the country’s financial inclusion agenda.

 

This initiative enables Filipinos to use their National ID—whether card, paper, or digital—to verify their GCash accounts and gain access to essential financial services, contributing to broader financial inclusion efforts.

 

The National ID system serves as a universal proof of identity that is recognized across government agencies and private institutions. While the government is continuously working toward full implementation of the National ID program, over 92 million Filipinos have already registered, and more than 50 million National IDs have been delivered.

 

By integrating eVerify in the GCash app, millions of Filipinos who have their National ID in any form can now easily authenticate their GCash accounts and gain secure access to its financial services offerings. To date, GCash remains the biggest mobile wallet in the country, with 8 out of 10 Filipinos having used GCash—a testament to its significant impact on financial inclusion.

 

“The National ID and its authentication services ensure that transactions are more seamless, secure, and inclusive for both the public and relying parties. By integrating the National ID with financial institutions like GCash, the PSA empowers more Filipinos with access to essential financial services and equips organizations with streamlined customer onboarding and enhanced trust and security," said PSA undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, national statistician and civil registrar general. "We thank GCash for honoring the National ID in account opening and verification in line with our shared goal of accelerating financial inclusion in the country.”

 

Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange, Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash, highlighted how this cooperation strengthens digital financial inclusion.

 

"This collaboration with PSA and DICT is a testament to the commitment of GCash to making financial services more accessible. By allowing users to verify their accounts with their National ID, we are breaking barriers and ensuring that more Filipinos can seamlessly access safe and reliable digital transactions," Reyes said.

 

By automating identity verification, eVerify speeds up the Know Your Customer (KYC) process, strengthens fraud prevention, and ensures accurate identity validation, making financial services more inclusive for Filipinos nationwide. The integration marks a significant step in simplifying onboarding while ensuring secure, seamless transactions for all GCash users. For more details, visit PSA’s official page at https://psa.gov.ph/.