Telecommunications company DITO and mobile wallet giant GCash have joined forces to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing enhanced internet connectivity alongside an integrated digital payment system.
Under this collaboration, small business owners will also benefit from a significantly reduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on their GCash transactions.
To address the unique demands of small scale entrepreneurs, DITO is rolling out specialized internet packages under its BizBayan WoWFi Optima plans. GCash is complementing these connectivity offerings with a built-in digital transaction solution.
“You get the connectivity, but you also get a payment platform… It empowers them because it’s a complete solution,” expressed DITO Chief Commercial Officer Adel Tamano.
GCash Head of Distributive Trade for MSME Mark Mamaril further explained:
“In this digital economy, they need to be able to carry on their operations more efficiently and that also entails having internet connectivity as well as having the cashless payment solutions available for them.”
On top of high-speed internet, clients who sign up for the new bundle will enjoy an exclusive, discounted MDR. While the standard merchant fee typically stands at 1% for e-wallet transactions, the newly introduced plan slashes this rate to just 0.6%, allowing merchants to retain more of their earnings.
For card-based payments, the transaction fee drops from the usual 3.2% to 2.8%.
“In this type of economy wherein there’s a crisis, inflation is rising, the margins are very important for an MSME,” Mamaril pointed out.
Tamano elaborated on the perk:
“Think of it as a premium rate, premium meaning mas mababa, a premium rate that GCash for Business is giving to you because of this partnership.”
In addition, participating MSMEs will be provided with GCash SoundPay, an audio-based validation device that verbally confirms successful transactions. This eliminates the need for merchants to manually check or capture screenshots of payment receipts.
Both digital firms are optimistic that this alliance will accelerate digital inclusion among small business owners, particularly those who have been reluctant to adopt modern technology. By encouraging a shift toward cashless operations, they aim to help local businesses scale up and attract a wider customer base.