GCash Empowers Cebu MSMEs with Financial Tools and Responsible Borrowing via 'Wais Tindera Caravan'

MANILA, Philippines — GCash has brought its 'Wais Tindera Caravan' to Cebu, drawing over 200 nano, micro, small and medium enterprises (NMSMEs), including sari-sari store owners and vendors. The event, held in celebration of MSME Month, aimed to deepen participants' understanding of digitalization and responsible borrowing. GCash reiterated its commitment to being a trusted growth partner for Filipino NMSMEs, supporting them at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. The company continues to champion local businesses by providing easier access to integrated financial and digital tools necessary for sustaining livelihoods, navigating uncertainty, and driving the Philippine economy. The caravan is a Financial Literacy x Business Literacy (FinLit x BizLit) program by GCash and Fuse Financing, designed for Filipino micro-entrepreneurs. It offers lessons on budgeting, pricing, inventory management, sales tracking, and business growth. A key focus was addressing the risks of predatory lending, as many micro-retailers still rely on informal lenders, such as the "5-6" system, which often carries high interest rates and can lead to cycles of debt. Digital financial tools were also introduced, including GLoan Negosyo, a Fuse cash loan product tailored to meet the urgent funding needs of NMSMEs, and GCash Pera Outlet Plus (GPO Plus). GPO Plus enables store owners to earn extra income by offering cash-in, cash-out, bills payment, and other digital transactions to their communities. "Through the Wais Tindera Caravan, we aim to equip NMSMEs with the practical financial and business skills needed to make informed decisions, manage their finances effectively, and adopt responsible borrowing practices to grow their businesses sustainably," said Kevin Yu, head of B2B lending at Fuse Financing. Responsible borrowing was a significant focus of the Cebu leg. Participants learned how to assess the necessity of a loan for business growth, borrow within their repayment capacity, and utilize credit for productive purposes like inventory expansion. Sessions also covered understanding loan terms, interest rates, and repayment obligations before borrowing, emphasizing how formal lending solutions can support business growth when used with proper planning. Entrepreneurs learned about excessive interest rates, lack of transparency, and unsustainable repayment terms. The caravan also highlighted innovations like GCash SoundPay Plus and GCash EasyPOS, which help small businesses seamlessly adopt digital QR and card payments, driving operational efficiency. Beyond accessible payment solutions, GCash fosters grassroots, community-wide economic growth. Through GCash Pera Outlet Plus, neighborhood merchants can earn additional income by providing vital Cash In and Cash Out services to their localities, while accessible insurance offerings protect these grassroots businesses from unexpected financial shocks. The caravan also addressed the digital trust gap among small business owners hesitant to adopt digital financial services. Sessions explained how digital payments work, how to use GCash safely and securely, how responsible use of digital tools can build a financial track record, and gain access to formal financial products and services. The Wais Tindera Caravan supports GCash's "Finance for All" mission, with financial literacy remaining central to the program, equipping participants with immediately applicable skills and easily integrable tools. For more information, visit www.gcash.com.