STI West Negros University Expands Access to Cashless Solutions through Tuition and School Fee Payments via GCash GBills

Students and parents at STI West Negros University can now pay tuition and other school fees through GCash following the university’s partnership with the country’s leading finance app through the GBills platform.

 

The agreement between STI West Negros University and GCash, formalized through a ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), aims to augment traditional manual payment systems with a more streamlined digital process, enabling stakeholders to settle institutional fees via the GCash app.

 

The partnership comes as schools and universities across the Philippines continue expanding digital services introduced during the pandemic, with many institutions seeking faster and more accessible payment channels for students and parents.

 

With the integration, STI West Negros University students and families can use the GBills feature in the GCash app to pay tuition and other fees without the need to visit physical payment centers or campus cashier offices.

 

The integration is expected to streamline payment transactions, reducing queues and manual processing while providing students and parents with a more convenient way to settle tuition and other school-related fees.

 

“At STI West Negros University, we continuously look for ways to enhance the student and parent experience beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Ryan Mark S. Molina, president and COO of STI West Negros University.

 

“This partnership reflects our commitment to modernizing our services and adopting solutions that make administrative processes simpler, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of the school community,” he added.

 

This collaboration forms part of its broader push to support digital transformation in the education sector while widening access to cashless financial services outside major urban centers.

 

“Education plays a vital role in shaping the future, and access to convenient financial services should support that journey,” said GCash VP and head of sales Cleo Celeste Santos. “By enabling seamless tuition and school fee payments through GBills, we are not only improving everyday transactions for students and parents but also form part of our mission of driving financial inclusion and supporting nation-building through digital innovation,” she added.

 

The rollout of GCash GBills forms part of the university’s broader efforts to strengthen its digital payment infrastructure and support a more seamless campus experience.

 

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com.

 

Coca-Cola Philippines Shares EPR Implementation Perspectives at ASEAN- EU Summit in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Government, business, and development leaders recently convened in Cebu for the ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit 2026, a regional forum focused on practical approaches to environmental and economic challenges across Southeast Asia. 

The summit was organized by the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), in partnership with the Philippines’ role as ASEAN Chair, and brought together public and private sector stakeholders to discuss policy alignment, implementation realities, and investment conditions.

Coca-Cola Philippines participated as a sponsor and speaker in the flagship session, “Making Circularity Work: Scaling Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in ASEAN.” Discussions focused on how EPR frameworks can move from policy design to consistent execution on the ground.

As a total beverage company, Coca-Cola shared several considerations for effective EPR systems and to maximize compliance models, including: clear and enforceable regulatory EPR system design; alignment with local collection and recycling infrastructure;  inclusion of informal waste workers within recycling value chain and recovery systems; and stronger incentives that support recycled material use and infrastructure investment across the region.

Antonio “Tony” Del Rosario, president of Coca-Cola Philippines, joined fellow panelists from government, ASEAN institutions, and civil society to discuss implementation challenges and lessons from early-stage EPR markets.

“EPR systems work best when design, enforcement, and on-the-ground realities are aligned,” Del Rosario said. “That requires coordination across government, industry, and waste management stakeholders.”

Discussions throughout the summit similarly underscored that successful EPR systems require coordinated action across governments, businesses, financial institutions, waste management stakeholders, and communities. Speakers also highlighted the importance of ensuring that frameworks remain practical and locally relevant, recognizing the differing levels of infrastructure and market maturity across ASEAN economies.

Coca-Cola Philippines referenced examples from its local experience supporting collection and recycling efforts locally. These include Tapon to Ipon, a collection initiative now operating through more than 6,000 community drop-off points nationwide, and partnerships focused on waste recovery and recycling infrastructure. The company also noted the role of its philanthropic arm, the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, in supporting programs that engage informal waste workers in the recycling value chain.

The company also cited PETValue Philippines, the country’s first bottle-to-bottle PET recycling facility established through a joint venture between Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines and Indorama Ventures, as an example of private sector investment contributing to domestic recycling capacity.

Speakers across the summit emphasized that EPR outcomes depend on consistent implementation, investment-enabling policies, political stability, knowledge-sharing and collaboration across markets, particularly given differences in infrastructure maturity across ASEAN economies.

Coca-Cola Philippines said it will continue to engage with government, industry peers, and community partners as EPR frameworks evolve across Southeast Asia.

Learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ sustainability initiatives at Coca-Cola Philippines Sustainability.

Beyond the Paycheck: When Enough is not Enough

Many people believe they have achieved financial independence when they can provide for their basic needs, pay the bills and still enjoy life’s little luxuries.

But ask anyone who has experienced a serious illness, lost a loved one unexpectedly, or reached retirement without adequate savings, and they will tell you that income alone does not guarantee financial security.

Financial independence is no longer measured solely by how much money a person makes but by how prepared they are for the unexpected and how confidently they can pursue their goals without fear that a single setback could undo years of hard work.

As the meaning of financial independence evolves, so, too, must the institutions that help Filipinos achieve it. 

This is how InLife, a 100% proud Filipino company, has walked alongside Filipinos for the past 115 years. Formerly known as Insular Life, InLife, as it is now known, has been journeying with the Filipino families, helping them protect and prepare for their future and adapting to the times as they redefine financial independence. After all, who best knows the Filipino, but another Filipino? 

Achieving that freedom, however, requires preparation.

One of the most effective ways to build financial independence is by protecting the future from risks that can derail even the best-laid plans. Life insurance helps ensure that loved ones continue living the life they have gotten used to even with the absence of the family’s primary breadwinner. InLife’s Variable Unit Life Insurance (VUL) Wealth Assure Plus, term insurance iProtect and endowment plan Abundance, answer this need. 

Health insurance and critical illness coverage help protect savings from the rising costs of medical care. These allow families to focus on recovery rather than financial strain. InLife’s Resilience provides accelerated critical illness cash payouts and additional health benefits.

Retirement planning is equally important. Many Filipinos dream of a comfortable retirement, yet too often postpone planning for it. Building a retirement fund early can allow you to enjoy later years with confidence and dignity rather than uncertainty and dependence on family members. InLife’s Retire Assure, the first true retirement insurance plan in the country with guaranteed monthly payouts, ensures you can retire without worries. Retire Assure 2, its 2-pay variant, allows Filipinos up to the age of 73, to avail of a retirement plan after just two years of contribution.

“Financial independence is not achieved through a single product or financial decision. It is built over time through consistent saving, investing, protecting one's income, and preparing for life's unexpected events. The earlier in life you begin, the more you are assured of a stable and secure future,” said InLife Chief Marketing Officer Gae L. Martinez. 

The future will always be accompanied by uncertainties, but they don’t have to prevent Filipinos from pursuing their goals. With the right mindset, preparation and partner that focuses on the needs of its fellow Filipinos, financial independence becomes less of a distant dream and more of a journey that begins with the choices we make today.

Visit www.inlife.com.ph for more information on how you can start your journey to financial freedom.