Geline Salac

Bringing National ID, e-wallet access close to Filipinos

Danielle has her photo taken as part of her National ID registration, a step that will allow her to access digital financial services and new opportunities in the digital economy. Photo source: GCash

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<div style="line-height:1"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17878968590351787896857687.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Danielle has her photo taken as part of her National ID registration, a step that will allow her to access digital financial services and new opportunities in the digital economy. Photo source: GCash </span></span></span></div><p style="line-height:1">Financial technology has helped broaden access to payments and digital services across the Philippines, but bridging persistent gaps in inclusion and reach remains a priority due to a lack of official documentation, a requisite for joining the digital economy. </p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">A study by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) shows that 40 percent of adult Filipinos remain unbanked due to lack of documents, including IDs. As such, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and GCash teamed up to expand National ID registration nationwide, especially in underserved communities.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Through a joint effort between PSA Co-location and GCash Barangay Outposts, a mobile, on-demand initiative for ID and e-wallet registration, more than 2,000 Filipinos across over 25 barangays nationwide have been able to secure their National IDs and open verified GCash accounts since July 2025.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1"><em>&quot;Dahil dito sa financial services ng GCash, pwede silang magka e-wallet. So, dito mas maraming magre-register [para sa ID] kasi mas marami ang gustong mag-apply sa services ng GCash tulad sa e-wallet,&quot;</em> said Ronnie Mallillin, a PSA registration officer in Cavite. </p><p style="line-height:1">(Because of the financial services in the GCash app, more people will register for an ID to access features like the e-wallet.)</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Now with their National IDs, Filipinos may start their financial journey, access essential services, and build a secure, empowered future.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><div style="line-height:1"><strong>Financial services within reach</strong></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Danielle, 19, is among the National ID registrants assisted by the PSA and GCash. Forced to pause her studies to support her family, she worked as a street vendor to cover daily needs while saving for her eventual return to school.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Achieving her goals required access to digital financial services, but having no valid government ID prevented her from opening formal accounts. With her new National ID, Danielle may now open a GCash account, unlocking opportunities to grow her business, including loans for expansion.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Through the lending arm of GCash, Fuse Financing Inc., Filipinos may access digital loans with flexible options and fair terms, covering expenses, investing in opportunities, or scaling small businesses. Fuse has disbursed P362 billion in loans to P10.5 million unique borrowers as of end-2025.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">For now, Danielle focuses on helping her mother, who earns a living doing laundry, after her father passed away. She also hopes to enroll again by next year. </p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><div style="line-height:1"><strong>Building businesses with GCash</strong></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Just like Danielle, Alma is looking at GCash to help boost her income. The housewife from Bulacan wants to build a business offering bill payment services in her neighborhood.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">She was referring to the GCash Pera Outlet Plus, a separate app for nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises that allows them to provide cash-in and bill payment services in their communities. Through the app, they may serve both GCash users and unbanked customers with services like Send Money, Cash In, Cash Out, Bills Payment, and Buy Load.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">This reflects the rising demand for digital financial services and the opportunities they create, highlighting the role of GCash in supporting and strengthening Filipino livelihoods.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Alma&#x27;s interest in opening a GCash account began during the pandemic. Many friends and relatives wanted to help her financially, but could not because she lacked a valid government ID. With her new National ID, thanks to PSA, she is now ready to maximize financial opportunities.</p><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17878969217071787896920677.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Eldie undergoes National ID registration, opening the door to convenient digital transactions. Photo source: GCash </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height:1"><strong>Helping loved ones</strong></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">GCash also aims to help simplify sending money, a service often out of reach for those without a valid ID. This routine transaction may impact families separated by distance, as seen in the stories of Eldie and Mutya.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Eldie, a construction worker who suffered a stroke, would travel to stores to send funds to his family. With his own GCash account, he may now transfer money for his loved ones.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">For Mutya, family is also a key motivation. The laundrywoman from Quezon regularly sends money to her mom in another town.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">She notes that when it rains, it becomes a hassle to go to a store just to send money to her mother or pay for other transactions. Digital platforms now provide convenience for both sender and recipient.</p><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17878969676661787896967340.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Mutya (right) sets up her GCash account with help from a staff member (left) after completing her National ID registration. Photo source: GCash </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height:1"><strong>Joining the digital economy</strong></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">GCash continues to prioritize financial inclusion, helping Filipinos access digital financial services and participate in the digital economy. This comes as digital payments now account for more than half of all retail transactions in the Philippines, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which aims to raise this share to 60%–70% by 2028.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">&quot;We want every Filipino to maximize the opportunities offered by the digital economy, and it all starts with having a valid ID. Accessing digital financial services opens doors to education, entrepreneurship, and better ways to manage their finances,&quot; said Ren-ren Reyes Jr., president and CEO of G-Xchange Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div>

<p>How PSA and GCash are making the National ID a first step toward digital financial inclusion for Filipinos.</p>

How PSA and GCash are making the National ID a first step toward digital financial inclusion for Filipinos.

Bringing National ID, e-wallet access close to Filipinos

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Bringing National ID, e-wallet access close to Filipinos

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Published August 28, 2026 04:19 PM PHT

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