DAVAO CITY – The Tagum City Council of Women’s Foundation Inc. called for stronger collaboration in empowering local entrepreneurs who are mostly women as the TindaNow Mindanao NMSME Summit 2025 opened on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Tagum City Hall.

GCash co-hosted the summit with the Tagum City government, TCCWFI, and other government agencies, gathering more than 2,000 local entrepreneurs for digital financial literacy sessions, business orientations, and the Intro of GCash Pera Outlet Plus.

“We sincerely appreciate our partnership with GCash, whose support has made this undertaking impactful and meaningful,” TCCWFI President Alma Lim Uy said during the TindaNow Mindanao Roundtable Discussion with GCash and Davao media.

Uy emphasized the initiative’s role in promoting digital and financial inclusion, noting that the summit reinforces support for nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises as they shift to digital payment, online business tools, and financial innovations.

“The event is more than a showcase of local products. It is a celebration of empowerment, creativity, and the enduring resilience of our NMSMEs,” Uy said, adding that the city and the provincial government were proud to have such an event.

She stated that providing communities with the proper support, training, and resources enables them to build stronger and more sustainable futures. She also emphasized that unity and shared responsibility are crucial to supporting local businesses.

“With unity, compassion, and unwavering determination, we can create lasting and meaningful impact for Tagum City and Davao del Norte,” Uy said. “May this initiative bring renewed hope and sustained progress to all our communities.”

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, through Davao del Norte Division Chief Erick Cezar Elipian, stated that the summit presents an opportunity for NMSMEs to grow, adopt digital tools, and explore new avenues to remain competitive in today’s rapidly evolving economy.

Elipian added that the GCash initiative is aligned with the DTI MSME Development Plan 2023-2028, which emphasizes digital adoption, technological innovation, and business resilience to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity.

In an interview, GCash Vice President and Head of Public Sector Cleo Celeste Santos affirmed the company’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion across the country, particularly among women entrepreneurs and small business owners.

“We want a country where everyone has access to financial services and opportunities for a brighter future,” Santos said, emphasizing that digital tools help communities access safe, fast, and convenient financial services.

Santos noted the crucial role of women and NMSMEs in Tagum City and Davao del Norte, referring to them as “the heart of the economy.” She said GCash aims to support their livelihood and long-term financial security by offering training and digital tools.

Among the key topics discussed during GCash’s sessions were digital financial literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and the proper use of mobile financial tools, which Santos said are vital for users to understand how to use digital tools safely.

Santos said they have been doing the initiative nationwide. She added that Tagum City is the pilot site for this initiative in Davao del Norte and that GCash plans to replicate the program in other parts of the Davao region.

Also in attendance were City Councilors Arthur Ong and Vreni Gem Caasi, GCash Sustainability head CJ Alegre, Fuse Financing head of B2B Lending Kevin Yu, and CXM Governance Training head Jack Jones Pacheco.

The summit also featured the launching of Uy and Dr. Maria Esther Paraba’s new book, “Empowerment Through Enterprise: The B’yaneng Journey,” highlighting the collective journey of empowered women entrepreneurs in Tagum City.

Uy said the book is a tribute to every woman who has dared to rise above challenges. She emphasized that the stories within its pages reflect women’s shared experiences, honor their triumphs, and acknowledge the struggles they continue to overcome.

“The stories we have penned together are not mere words upon parchment, but living testaments of women who, though pressed by want, were never broken; who, though burdened by trials, chose to rise rather than to yield,” Paraba said.

Paraba said the book contained stories from 30 fair and inspiring B’yaneng ladies. She added that she and Uy, along with these 30 women, aim to inspire more women to pursue business ventures and contribute to community and economic development.

After the summit, GCash headed to Davao City for Cybersecurity and Fraud Management initiatives during the “Connected & Converse: GCash x Media Meet-Up” at Red Lantern Seafood Restaurant on Thursday, Nov. 27.

The event brought together media partners for an in-depth discussion led by Pacheco, of the GCash CXM Governance Training, who outlined GCash’s enhanced fraud-management framework, breaking down the measures in practical terms.

Pacheco detailed strengthened account verification processes, double-authentication requirements, and in-app alerts designed to warn users about potential phishing attempts, reminding everyone to be cautious when receiving messages and emails.

He also emphasized GCash’s close coordination with law enforcement agencies to monitor suspicious transactions and respond swiftly to emerging threats. He also discussed the process in these matters in easy-to-understand terms.

The session aimed to raise public awareness on digital safety and reaffirm GCash’s commitment to safeguarding user information and maintaining secure mobile transactions amidst evolving cyber risks.