From Cash Distribution to Digital Disbursement of Rice Subsidies


In an effort to promote safety, efficiency and security, the Provincial Government of Bataan has partnered with PayMaya to facilitate digital disbursements of rice subsidies to its more than 8,000 beneficiaries.

Managed by the Bataan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) under Ms. Marilyn Tigas, the process for the distribution of the subsidy had been greatly simplified.

Tigas said, “Once the beneficiaries receive the allowance straight to their PayMaya account, they can use the funds right away not only for the purchase of rice but also for other needs of their families like groceries and essential items. PayMaya funds can also be used to buy mobile load, pay bills and can be encashed via Smart Padala or Bancnet ATMs.”

She added, “The beneficiaries used to line-up in the barangays and sign up to claim the subsidy. It was a very tedious process because we spend a lot of time in one place to distribute the subsidy. It was slower and the PSWDO team had to be accompanied by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA) for security. This time around, the electronic transfer of the subsidy makes everything faster, more efficient and more convenient.”

Bataan Governor Albert S. Garcia said, “Through this partnership with PayMaya, we have shifted from cash distribution to digital disbursement because we see this as a safer and more efficient way to transact business especially during the pandemic. Those who are in charge with the distribution now get additional protection against the virus since this process eliminated person to person contact. This is a very good way for our province to venture into the new normal. We thank PayMaya for providing an alternative that is fast, safe and transparent.”

For his part, Bataan 2nd District Representative Jose Enrique S. Garcia II also expressed his excitement for the partnership. He shared, “With the help of PayMaya’s cashless payment solutions, the Province of Bataan has accelerated its digitization efforts for the disbursement of subsidy allowances. We look forward to shifting to digital transactions for other services as we progressively build our cashless ecosystem.”

PayMaya Founder and CEO Orlando B. Vea said, “We congratulate the Province of Bataan for being a leader in enabling cashless payments in the country. This initiative will also help promote financial inclusion and we are excited as we  work closely together to help establish cashless ecosystems in the province through PayMaya's end-to-end digital financial services.”

PayMaya's PayOut disbursement platform is the same solution utilized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Social Security System (SSS), as well as the cities of Manila, Pasig, Caloocan, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City, among others, in delivering digital financial aid to their constituents.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya enables national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services.

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 57,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide.

Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner touchpoints nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.