Three municipalities in La Union, namely Sudipen, San Juan, and Bacnotan, have taken significant steps toward digital transformation through separate partnerships with GCash, the Philippines’ #1 finance superapp. The local municipalities aim to modernize government transactions by shifting from traditional cash-heavy processes to faster, safer, and more efficient digital public service delivery.
The partnerships reflect the growing adoption of digital financial tools among municipalities nationwide to promote efficient governance and inclusive public services.
Pioneering digital disbursement services in Sudipen
The Municipality of Sudipen officially launched the GCash Fund Disbursement Service (FDS) alongside the GCash Card, becoming the first municipality in La Union to adopt the platform. The launch included the digital disbursement of financial assistance to 81 solo parents and two additional beneficiaries, eliminating manual cash distribution while reducing processing time and paperwork.
GCash Pera Outlet Plus (GPO Plus), together with GPO distributor Purchase and Grow Inc. (PGI), also onboarded 24 sari-sari stores and local businesses as GCash Pera Outlets, further expanding the municipality’s digital payment network. Sudipen also plans to extend the Fund Disbursement Service to scholars and municipal employees, streamlining recurring government payouts and strengthening transparency in public financial management.
“Through the GCash Fund Disbursement Service, we can deliver assistance more efficiently and securely to our constituents. The platform helps improve convenience for beneficiaries while supporting transparency and accountability in the municipality’s financial processes,” said Sudipen Mayor Wendy Joy Buquing.
Adopting a broader suite of digital government services in Bacnotan
Meanwhile, Bacnotan signed an MOA with GCash covering GBills, Scan to Pay, the Fund Disbursement Service, and Citizen Card integration, expanding digital government services for collections, disbursements, and citizen verification.
Through GBills and Scan to Pay, residents will soon be able to pay taxes, fees, and other government obligations through the GCash app, reducing manual over-the-counter processing. The Fund Disbursement Service and Citizen Card integration will likewise support the distribution of financial assistance, scholarships, and employee allowances while improving recipient verification.
The partnership also includes the rollout of Paleng-QR Ph at the Bacnotan Public Market, bringing digital payments to local vendors and residents. As part of the rollout, Bacnotan will pilot digital allowance disbursements for selected municipal employees before expanding implementation. In support of Mayor Divina Fontanilla’s vision of a cashless municipality, GCash also aims to onboard more local businesses through GCash GPO Plus and deploy additional GCash devices across the municipality.
Supporting inclusive local governance in San Juan, La Union
GCash also formalized a Scan to Pay partnership with all 41 barangays in San Juan, positioning the municipality to become the country’s first to fully integrate digital payments for barangay-level collections. Residents will soon be able to settle barangay fees and other local dues through the GCash app, reducing reliance on manual, cash-based collection processes.
Complementing this initiative, Mayor Mariquita Ortega will pilot the GCash Fund Disbursement Service in five barangays to digitalize the distribution of allowances for barangay employees, with plans to expand implementation across the municipality.
The partnerships reflect a shared vision between GCash and the three municipalities to promote more efficient, transparent, and inclusive local governance. By expanding digital payments and fund disbursement services, the initiatives help make government transactions more accessible and convenient, particularly for residents in underserved communities.
“We have been partnering with local governments for years to help them improve public service and transparency through digitalization. We are proud that Sudipen is the first municipality in La Union to embrace the GCash Fund Disbursement Service. Through our partnerships with San Juan and Bacnotan, we look forward to helping even more communities across the region benefit from faster, more efficient, and more inclusive government services,” shared GCash head of B2B Sales Cleo Celeste Santos.
The agreements in the province support the national push for e-governance and digital transformation by helping reduce dependence on cash while improving transparency and financial inclusion. Implementation across all three municipalities will be rolled out in phases as digital payment and disbursement services are integrated into existing government processes.
