Bangsamoro communities can now experience faster, safer, and more convenient access to digital payments—thanks to a new partnership between the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the country’s leading finance app, #GCash. This joint initiative marks a significant step towards advancing inclusive and sustainable finance across the region.
At the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Ministry of Human Settlements and Development and GCash
(Left-to-Right): Cleo Celeste Santos, GCash Vice President and Head of Public Sector, Jong Layug, General Manager of GCash B2B, Renren Reyes, CEO & President of G-Xchange, Inc., Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra, Minister of MHSD-BARMM, Aldin Asiri, Deputy Minister of MHSD-BARMM, and Director General Esmael Ebrahim of MHSD-BARMM
The partnership is anchored on MHSD’s push for digitalization by enabling cashless payment collection for its housing and settlement-related services. By moving away from manual, cash-based processes, MHSD aims to make transactions more efficient, secure, and accessible for both the agency and the public, particularly for residents in remote or underserved areas.
“This partnership is an important step toward making financial services more accessible to every Bangsamoro. By leveraging digital platforms like GCash, we can improve the way public service is delivered, especially to those in remote communities,” said MHSD-BARMM Minister Atty. Hamid Aminoddin Barra.
While the primary focus is on providing a convenient payment option for its collections, MHSD is also taking steps to enhance its disaster response capabilities. With the Financial Disbursement Service (FDS) of GCash in place, the Ministry will have a ready and reliable tool to send shelter assistance to households affected by calamities or disasters, ensuring timely support when and where it’s needed most.
“Guided by our strategic focus on Islamic inclusion, GCash is proud to be working toward Shari’ah-compliant finance, in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and BARMM ministries. Our goal is to ensure that Muslim Filipinos can participate confidently in the digital economy, honoring their values while gaining the benefits of modern finance,” said G-Xchange President and CEO Ren-Ren Reyes.
Our partnership with the MHSD-BARMM marks a new chapter in this journey. Together, we will amplify initiatives that uplift vulnerable communities, integrate digital payments in government services, and accelerate the delivery of social and economic support to those who need it most. Digitizing public service reduces barriers and inefficiencies, providing faster, safer access to essential resources for all, especially the underserved,” he added.
This collaboration supports the shared vision of MHSD and GCash for citizen-centric governance powered by digital tools. It also highlights how public-private partnerships can help bridge the digital divide and strengthen government services in underserved areas.
As the country continues to embrace digital innovation, this collaboration signals a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and responsive region, where financial access is not only widespread but also respectful of cultural and religious values. With the digital financial solutions of GCash increasingly being tailored to the practices of the Islamic faith, every Bangsamoro citizen can move toward safe, timely, and dignified access to public services.
For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.