In a move aimed at enhancing financial inclusion, Globe Telecom, GCash, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have launched a program providing smartphones to 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) families. This initiative, part of the Pre-loved Phone Donation Drive, is designed to enable beneficiaries to access financial services through GCash, helping them manage their funds more efficiently and securely.
Currently, many Level 1 4Ps households struggle to access digital financial tools due to a lack of smartphones, relying on ATMs to receive bi-monthly grants. The introduction of GCash will streamline these transactions and reduce dependence on cash, ensuring quicker, safer, and more convenient access to government aid.
DSWD secretary Rex Gatchalian said the smartphones will not only facilitate grant disbursement but also empower 4Ps members to engage in digital banking and access essential services that can improve their livelihoods. Globe Telecom deputy CEO, Carl Cruz, stressed the broader potential of the phones as gateways to education and business opportunities, urging recipients to use them to better their lives.
Oscar Enrico Reyes Jr., president of G-Xchange Inc., expressed gratitude to partners supporting the drive, emphasizing its goal to provide equal opportunities for all Filipinos, regardless of their socio-economic status.
The initiative kicked off with a ceremony on 18 February at the Malabon Amphitheater, marking a significant step in advancing digital inclusion for marginalized communities.
