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DTI, 2GO travel partner to sail OTOP products across Philippine seas

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(From left) Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista of the Competitiveness and Innovation Group of the Department of        Trade and Industry; Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona of the Regional Operations Group; Francis John Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel; and George Clayton Narag, Head of Product Development of 2GO Travel.

MAKATI CITY, Philippines — 2GO, the country’s premier sea travel operator, formalized a partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to further support the growth of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by expanding their reach to wider markets through affordable sea travel for trade and the establishment of OTOP Nooks aboard 2GO Travel passenger vessels.

The agreement enables the availability of special discounted sea travel rates for DTI-endorsed MSMEs participating in official trade fairs. With up to 50 kilograms of baggage allowance, entrepreneurs can conveniently transport a variety of products across routes. Complementing these travel benefits is the rollout of OTOP Nooks across all 2GO Travel passenger ships, providing onboard retail spaces dedicated to showcasing and selling products from partner micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the OTOP Philippines Program. The initiative creates new retail touchpoints for Filipino-made products while giving travelers access to locally crafted goods during their journeys.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for MSMEs, noting that “this initiative strengthens the presence of proudly Filipino products beyond their home regions and enables MSMEs to reach more consumers nationwide, with sea travel supporting their growth and mobility.”

2GO will offer special discounted rates for DTI-endorsed MSMEs joining official trade fairs, along with exclusive travel and cargo support to streamline their participation.

Francis John Chua, Business Unit Head of 2GO Travel, shared that “this collaboration allows both established and aspiring MSMEs to tap into our sea travel network, and we hope that they take advantage of their 50kg baggage allowance that comes with every 2GO Travel ticket. This actually means that starting and growing your own business has never been easier. Now, you can carry the trade you want to sell with you, bring your products directly to passengers across key routes, and strengthen your visibility while maximizing our onboard retail platform.”

The first OTOP partnership between DTI Region XII and 2GO Travel was launched onboard MV 2GO Masinag. With the signing of this nationwide MOA, the initiative now expands to cover all 2GO Travel passenger vessels, further connecting local entrepreneurs to a broader customer base.

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ADB and GCash Fuse partner to unlock inclusive finance for MSMEs, women and fight poverty in the Philippines

by Contributor
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ADB grants GCash lending arm Fuse Financing with Php 1.75B credit facility to expand loan access to MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, especially in high poverty areas. ADB’s  financing is complemented by catalytic funding from Mastercard to help Fuse reach priority segments.

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs across the Philippines are set to gain significantly better financial access after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a  Php 1.75 billion ($30 million) loan facility to Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, the country’s leading finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem.

Fuse Financing Inc. President and CEO Tony Isidro, Mynt President and CEO Martha Sazon, and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque award P10,000-worth of capitalization support to each of 10 entrepreneurs to help them grow and strengthen their businesses.

This first-of-its-kind partnership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region was officially launched on February 6 at the SMX Convention Center in Taguig City with the theme  “Driving Inclusive Finance for Filipino MSMEs” and was witnessed by over 250 MSMEs, including sari-sari store and carinderia owners and women entrepreneurs. This milestone collaboration enables Fuse to expand its lending portfolio and scale access to credit for the country’s most critical economic drivers.

MSMEs are a cornerstone of the Philippine economy, accounting for around 40% of the gross domestic product and 63% of total employment. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), there are 1.24 million registered business establishments as of 2024, over 99 percent of which are micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Yet, access to financing remains a key barrier. According to an ADB study, access to credit and capital ranks as the second most significant challenge for MSMEs, after access to markets. With such a financial challenge, it takes less than 12 months for a small business to shut down operations.

“This fintech partnership is the first-of-its kind for ADB in the ASEAN region and marks a significant step in advancing financial inclusion in the Philippines,” said Isabel Chatterton, Director General, Private Sector Operations Department of Asian Development Bank. “By combining Fuse’s digital reach with ADB’s development financing, we are building an inclusive digital financial ecosystem that expands access to finance for women-led and rural enterprises across the country.”

[L-R] Acting Regional Director Jay Acar, Department of Trade and Industry; Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Mynt, the parent company of GCash; Secretary Cristina Roque, Department of Trade and Industry; Tony Isidro, President and CEO of Fuse Financing Inc.; Christine Engstrom Director General for Sectors Department 3 in Finance of the Asian Development Bank; and Subhashini Chandran, SVP, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. The private and public sectors are working together to promote financial inclusion for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs. On Friday, the Asian Development Bank and Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, launched a landmark loan partnership for MSMEs together with Mastercard and DTI and conducted a financial literacy workshop to support their growth.

[1] Asian Development Bank. Factors affecting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises development in developing Asia. https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/946586/ewp715-factors-affecting-msme-development.pdf Philippine Institute for Development Studies. Evaluation of the Sustainable Livelihood Program’s Seed Capital Fund for Microenterprise Development. https://www.pids.gov.ph/publication/research-paper-series/evaluation-of-the-sustainable-livelihood-program-s-seed-capital-fund-for-microenterprise-development

“We value our partnership with ADB as it strengthens our ability to expand access to credit for MSMEs and women entrepreneurs, who are underserved by the market. By combining our shared expertise and digital reach, we are advancing financial inclusion and helping more Filipinos grow their businesses,” Mynt President and CEO Martha Sazon said.

ADB will also provide up to $125,000 in technical assistance to help Fuse Financing develop tailored financial products and deliver financial and digital literacy training for women, especially those with limited formal education. This aligns with the broader push of ADB and GCash for digital finance and inclusion across Asia and the Pacific.

Complementing ADB’s financing, the Mastercard Impact Fund, with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth also extended a catalytic funding to support Fuse in effectively reaching and serving the priority MSME segments.

Fuse Financing Inc. President and CEO Tony Isidro underscored the significance of this partnership especially in supporting Fuse’s mission of delivering fair loans and expanding inclusive credit access for underserved Filipinos.

“Through our partnership with ADB, with additional support from the Mastercard Impact Fund, we are strengthening our mission to make credit accessible to every Filipino who needs it most,” Isidro said. “This investment enables us to accelerate our support for women entrepreneurs and small businesses in underserved areas, sectors with immense potential to drive the country’s long-term growth,” he added.

“This collaboration brings together catalytic capital, digital infrastructure and inclusive design to unlock new pathways for financial security. By working with Fuse Financing and the Asian Development Bank to extend credit to underserved entrepreneurs, we are ensuring that growth in the digital economy is fair and sustainable,” said Subhashini Chandran, senior vice president, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.

(L-R) Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Mynt, the parent company of GCash; Tony Isidro, President and CEO of Fuse Financing Inc.; and Christine Engstrom Director General for Sectors Department 3 in Finance of the Asian Development Bank. The Asian Development Bank and Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, have officially launched their partnership to expand loan access to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs, a move that is seen to accelerate financial inclusion and unlock growth for underserved sectors across the Philippines.

To commemorate this partnership, 10 MSMEs nominated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) were awarded with capitalization support to help advance their business operations.  DTI  Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque also graced the event and delivered a keynote message to all the MSMEs in attendance highlighting how synergies like this unlock growth and inclusion.

“More than the scale of financing, what makes this partnership meaningful is its intent: to ensure that capital reaches entrepreneurs who are ready to grow but have long been underserved by traditional systems. By aligning public-sector priorities with private-sector innovation, this collaboration helps widen the path to formal, fair, and sustainable access to finance for MSMEs,” Secretary Roque said in her speech.

A day of FinLit for MSMEs


Alongside this partnership launch, Fuse gathered over 250 sari-sari store owners and women entrepreneurs to experience financial literacy workshops designed to help them manage their finances better, borrow responsibly, and build more resilient businesses.

Attendees were equipped with the knowledge to access digital loans, improve their eligibility for loan access, and practice responsible borrowing. In addition, MSMEs were taught how to integrate digital platforms into their operations to improve efficiency.

[L-R] Subhashini Chandran, SVP, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth; Christine Engstrom Director General for Sectors Department 3 in Finance of the Asian Development Bank; Tony Isidro, President and CEO of Fuse Financing Inc.; Secretary Cristina Roque, Department of Trade and Industry; and Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Mynt, the parent company of GCash. The Asian Development Bank and Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, have launched a landmark partnership with a Php 1.75B loan facility aimed at supercharging credit access in the country. Joining them are Mastercard who extended a catalytic funding and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), underscoring strong public–private collaboration to support inclusive and responsible financing for MSMEs.

MSMEs are vital to national progress but remain underserved by traditional financial institutions.  According to an ADB study, access to credit remains a most significant challenge for MSMEs[3]. Leveraging GCash trust scoring system GSCore as part of the creditworthiness assessment, Fuse eliminates the traditional barriers to lending, with no collateral or documentary requirements needed to secure loans, enabling greater credit access for everyday Filipinos.

The ADB-Fuse partnership aims to unlock MSME’s growth potential and contribute to inclusive economic expansion. Unlike traditional financing, the capital is designed for impact, carrying firm social mandates that ensure measurable inclusion. This serves as a model for how fintech and development institutions can align with purpose, transforming financial access by ensuring that opportunity reaches those who can create lasting social and economic change.

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

[1] Asian Development Bank. Factors affecting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises development in developing Asia. https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/946586/ewp715-factors-affecting-msme-development.pdf

[2] Philippine Institute for Development Studies. Evaluation of the Sustainable Livelihood Program’s Seed Capital Fund for Microenterprise Development. https://www.pids.gov.ph/publication/research-paper-series/evaluation-of-the-sustainable-livelihood-program-s-seed-capital-fund-for-microenterprise-development

[3] Asian Development Bank. Factors affecting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises development in developing Asia. https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/946586/ewp715-factors-affecting-msme-development.pdf

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Isla ng Pag-asenso: How GCash helps Guimaras MSMEs go digital to earn more

by Contributor
written by Contributor

MANILA, Philippines — Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone and drivers of the economy, comprising 99.6% of all business establishments in the country and generating 67% of total employment—according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

They are the heart of local communities—creating jobs, providing livelihoods, supporting families, even preserving traditions.

However, MSMEs must innovate to keep up with the changing demands in business, and entrepreneurs in Guimaras, an island province known for its sweet mangoes and artisanal products, know this too well.

Keeping up with modern demands in business, they know that manual bookkeeping, paying suppliers in person, and other traditional methods can limit their growth and increase costs, especially since they are island-based.

McNester Food Products owner Rebecca Tubongbanua and Parolas Guimaras owner Rhodora Garunita

And now, they are future-proofing their operations with GCash, making transactions easier, faster and cost-efficient.

Here are five inspiring MSME stories that show how digital finance can streamline processes, expand market reach and strengthen businesses—all while focusing on creating quality products for customers.

1. Rebecca Tubongbanua of McNester Food Products

(Products: calamansi juice and concentrate, dried mangoes, mango ketchup, mango sauce)

Tubongbanua founded McNester Food Products in 2003 with a modest capital of P7,000. As a small kitchen operation, everything was prepared by hand and managed manually, from sourcing raw materials to paying suppliers and clients.

She shares the challenges of running the business in its early years, which was eventually addressed by digital solutions: “Our operations were entirely manual. Eventually, with the rise of new technologies, we digitized our processes, from modern equipment to financial operations. Today, we no longer use checks for payment transactions.”

Integrating GCash into their system has been a significant help to McNester Food Products, allowing it to exchange products and payments in real time. GCash also enables the company to pay for FDA permit renewals and transmit PhilHealth and other employee benefits on schedule.

Through persistence and smart use of technology, McNester has now grown into a recognized brand, bringing Guimaras products to the rest of the country and the world.

2. Rosario Griesser of Guimaras Wonder’s Farm

(Products: fresh mangoes, cucumbers, other fruits and vegetables)

Guimaras Wonder’s Farm began when Griesser and her husband relocated from Bulacan in 2001 and purchased a seven-hectare mango tree farm on the island.

They transformed it into a sustainable and organic farm producing vegetables and other fruits. It has also become a tourist attraction and learning center for other farmers and agriculture students.

“We consider ourselves early adopters of digital payment methods through GCash, which wasn’t widely used until the pandemic hit. Today, GCash accounts for 90% of our transactions, saving us both time and the cost of traveling from the farm to the town center for financial dealings. GCash is fast, convenient, and secure—I’ve never experienced losing money through it,” says Griesser about the role of digital finance in their business.

The farm’s success proves that embracing technology can make operations smoother and more efficient while fostering sustainability.

3. Rona Fe Delgado of Nonnie’s Delicacies

(Products: polvoron, mango lengua)

Delgado took over Nonnie’s Delicacies in 2016 to continue her family legacy. Through her mother’s dedication and hard work—with early mornings spent preparing products and making sure deliveries reached customers on time—the business grew to what it is today.

The pandemic brought new challenges, including difficulty in face-to-face transactions. But with GCash, Nonnie’s Delicacies adapted quickly.

When the pandemic hit, they finally opened a GCash account, which became their main tool for handling transactions.

“Customers could pay us instantly, we used it to settle payments with our suppliers, and we were even able to pay our workers in the community. It made everything so much more convenient. Managing the business became a lot easier with GCash in place,” Delgado shares.

4. Rhodora Garunita of Parolas Guimaras

(Products: serafina, mango piaya)

After returning from abroad in 2015, Garunita explored several small business ventures before creating her own brand, Parolas, which means “lighthouse.”

“We joined a trade fair in Iloilo and sold mangoes and pasalubong items. We saw a lot of potential and asked ourselves, ‘Why not create something of our own?’ That gave birth to Parolas, a brand that would guide us toward product innovation and entrepreneurship,” explains Garunita.

She shares how GCash streamlined her sales. Customers now reach them through their Facebook page and website, with payments and deliveries collected via GCash.

Parolas shows how digital adoption can make even small businesses highly accessible to customers.

5. Merly and Shaira Galanto of Merly Cashew Nuts and Delicacies

(Products: cashew nuts, butterscotch, tarts)

The Galantos’ journey began after Merly left her job as an OFW to return home and start a small store in 2002.

With a capital of just P30,000 from savings, their family chose the cashew nut business, taking advantage of abundant local resources of Guimaras.

“Merly Cashew Nuts and Delicacies has expanded to include other products, and we adopted GCash as our preferred cashless payment method. It has earned our trust by enabling quick and secure transactions, especially during trade fairs,” Shaira explains.

With determination and digital adoption, Merly Cashew Nuts has become a successful business supporting the Galanto family and their community.

Technology is most powerful when it enables people to thrive

These five MSMEs are perfect examples of how digital finance can help strengthen local businesses.

By using tools like GCash, Guimaras entrepreneurs are keeping up with market demands and future-proofing their operations, as well as contributing to the province’s economic growth.

Technology is most powerful when it enables people to thrive, allowing small businesses to shine on a bigger stage—just like the Guimaras ladies empowered by digital finance.

For more information on how GCash can help MSMEs grow, visit www.gcash.com.

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