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Manila Bulletin devider Technews devider PH fintech growth highlighted at Australia-Philippines tech forum

PH fintech growth highlighted at Australia-Philippines tech forum

Published Jun 3, 2026 11:26 am
Australia-Philippines Business Council Director of Communications John Tantoco; GXI (GCash) President and CEO Oscar "Ren-ren" Reyes; FinTech Alliance.PH Founding Chairman and RCBC Executive Vice President Lito Villanueva; Asian Consulting Group Founder and CEO Raymond Abrea; Tech Council of Australia representative Madeleine Houghton; and Austrade Trade and Investment Commissioner Bernice Vanguardia, during the Australia Philippines Business Council Tech Forum in Sydney, highlighting the growth of the Philippine fintech sector and opportunities for deeper Australia-Philippines collaboration in digital finance and innovation.
Australia-Philippines Business Council Director of Communications John Tantoco; GXI (GCash) President and CEO Oscar "Ren-ren" Reyes; FinTech Alliance.PH Founding Chairman and RCBC Executive Vice President Lito Villanueva; Asian Consulting Group Founder and CEO Raymond Abrea; Tech Council of Australia representative Madeleine Houghton; and Austrade Trade and Investment Commissioner Bernice Vanguardia, during the Australia Philippines Business Council Tech Forum in Sydney, highlighting the growth of the Philippine fintech sector and opportunities for deeper Australia-Philippines collaboration in digital finance and innovation.
Philippine fintech leaders showcased the country's rapidly evolving digital finance landscape during the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) Tech Forum held last May 19, 2026 at the Tattersalls Club in Sydney.
Among the speakers was Lito Villanueva, founding chairman of FinTech Alliance.PH and executive vice president and chief Innovation and inclusion officer of RCBC, who highlighted the Philippines' progress in digital payments, financial inclusion, and fintech innovation.
Addressing Australian business and technology leaders, Villanueva highlighted how collaboration among regulators, financial institutions, fintech firms, and technology providers has helped accelerate the country's digital transformation.
"Our growth as an industry demonstrates the strong and continuing demand for digital financial services among Filipinos. By strengthening partnerships with organizations and ecosystems beyond our borders, including those in Australia, we can further accelerate financial inclusion and expand access to digital finance for more communities,” Villanueva said.
The panel also featured Oscar “Ren-ren” Reyes, President and Chief Executive Officer of GXI (GCash), Raymond Abrea, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Asian Consulting Group (ACG), and Madeleine Houghton of the Tech Council of Australia. The discussion was moderated by Bernice Vanguardia, Trade and Investment Commissioner of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).
Villanueva emphasized that continued cooperation between the Philippines and Australia could help unlock new opportunities in digital banking, cross-border payments, fintech innovation, and regulatory development.
“Building stronger digital ties, fostering regulatory alignment, and encouraging deeper collaboration across industries will be critical in sustaining the growth of the digital economy and advancing financial inclusion across the region,” he said.
The forum also featured a second panel focused on strengthening Australia-Philippines economic and technology cooperation. Participants included Jack Madrid of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), Julian Kyle Lizares Valenzuela, and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Theo Panga. The session was moderated by Emmanuel Ang, Trade Consul of the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre in Sydney.
The APBC Tech Forum formed part of the Philippine Tech Mission to Australia held from May 18 to 22, 2026. The mission brought together leaders from the fintech, banking, technology, and government sectors to explore collaboration opportunities, exchange best practices, and strengthen innovation ties between the Philippines and Australia.

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