MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), the country’s leading challenger bank, continues to champion the government’s vision of a sustainable and inclusive digital economy. Recognized by key agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd), RCBC also strengthens its commitment through strategic partnerships with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), promoting sustainable financial inclusion. 

The DSWD honored RCBC during the “Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay sa mga Partners ng Pantawid” event, where RCBC Vice President and ATM Go Head, Aaron Giberson, accepted the recognition. RCBC has been instrumental in supporting the government’s efforts to distribute vital aid under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) through RCBC ATM Go, the bank’s pioneering, bank-agnostic, and community-focused ATM network.

The award is a tangible recognition of the bank’s dedication in making welfare accessible. Beneficiaries have withdrawn a total of ₱8.6 billion in government aid through the RCBC ATM Go network — accounting for about 15% of the ₱59.1 billion distributed by the government to over 4.4 million 4Ps beneficiaries nationwide as of end September 2024. On top of this, RCBC ATM Go also supports payroll disbursements for teachers, police, pensioners, military personnel, and local government employees, disbursing a total of Php 16.4 billion, posting a 35% year-on-year growth, and servicing 66% of rural women. 

Meanwhile, during the “Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay: Partners Appreciation and Recognition Event” of the DepEd last December 16, 2024, RCBC received an honor for continuing its partnerships with the government agency to make financial literacy accessible and transformative to the Filipino Youth. Through the award-winning business case competition DiskartechPreneur and the module Aralin sa Madiskarteng Pananalapi (Lessons on Strategic Financial Management), DepEd and RCBC have been partnering to elevate the aptitude of Filipino youth in entrepreneurship and financial management through its digital solution RCBC Diskartech. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara was present at the event to personally extend his gratitude and present the award to RCBC, represented by Vice President for Usage and Strategic Businesses Michael Christopher Cruz. 

The DMW also organized “Collaborative Pathways: Advancing International Partnerships for OFWs” to highlight the support and diligence of its partners including RCBC. Since the start of 2024, the bank and the government agency have paired to engage underserved and unbanked Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Numbered at 12 million globally, OFWs continue to be one of the pillars of the country’s economy yet face high barriers to entry and challenges into the formal financial system.

Through a financial literacy campaign targeted to long-time and newly minted OFWs, RCBC and DMW introduce digital banking services such as deposits, cardless withdrawals, bank transfers, bill payments, remittances, investments, credit card management, and loan applications powered by RCBC Pulz. The campaign has generated the creation of 12,000 OFW-owned accounts. 

RCBC’s partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the Timbangan ng Bayan Project continues to champion consumer protection and digital financial inclusion in public markets nationwide. Launched in August 2024 and spotlighted during Consumer Welfare Month, the project equips consumers with accessible weighing kiosks to ensure fair transactions, while promoting financial literacy and rights awareness.

RCBC amplified the campaign by introducing its digital financial solutions like the DiskarTech app and RCBC ATM Go, offering alternative livelihoods and empowering entrepreneurs with mobile banking capabilities. Strategically placed kiosks, posters, and educational materials further reinforced the project’s mission to safeguard consumer trust and foster equitable trade.

Serving around 200 Local Government Units (LGUs), Phase 1 of kiosk deployment has already made significant progress. RCBC’s commitment to collaboration and innovation underscores its vision for a digitally inclusive Philippines, cementing its role as a trusted partner in driving financial empowerment and consumer welfare.

These acknowledgements from government agencies have once again solidified the bank’s reputation as a reliable partner to the public sector, a relationship built on sustained trust and open collaboration. RCBC continues to strengthen its digital service network, with RCBC DiskarTech now offering digital loans through its Pasado platform and RCBC ATM Go achieving 100% nationwide coverage, further enhancing accessibility and inclusivity.

RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva expressed his gratitude to all of the bank’s government partners for appreciating its efforts to make sustainable finance relevant and available to all Filipinos. In anticipation for 2025, the RCBC Executive relayed his enthusiasm at the countless doors of opportunities that will be opened to materialize the shared vision of the bank and the Philippine government.

“These recognitions are not only timely gifts for the festive season, but they are seals of approval of the collaborative powers of the private and public sector in pivoting the whole country towards a financially inclusive and digitally inclusive nation. We thank the government for valuing our contributions and signaling trust and optimism in the future of our relationships,” Villanueva said.

“With 2025 just around the corner, we look forward to RCBC and the Philippine government, under the leadership of President Marcos, leveraging more opportunities to achieve our shared goal of building a digitally empowered and financially inclusive Philippines,” Villanueva added.