Officials from the Cotabato City Local Government Unit and representatives from GCash have spearheaded the introduction of cashless payment options in Cotabato City, allowing residents to pay local taxes and fees through digital channels with greater ease. The rollout, which includes key figures such as Account Manager Bappy Vales-Canlas, Regional Sales Head Bea Ranada, Mayor Mohammad Ali "Bruce" Matabalao, and Cluster Business Head Miguel Polido, marks a significant advancement in the city's administrative services.
Enhancing Convenience and Safety in Government Payments
Paying government fees in Cotabato City has become faster, safer, and more convenient as the local government unit officially launched cashless payment options with GCash, the Philippines' leading finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem. Since the partnership began in May 2024, the initiative has introduced Scan to Pay and Bills Pay features, enabling citizens to settle local taxes and fees directly from their mobile phones using the GCash app. This development eliminates long lines at city offices and reduces the risks associated with manual cash transactions.
Addressing Long-Standing Challenges
The move tackles persistent issues in the LGU's collection system, including prolonged queues, cash-handling inefficiencies, limited payment channels, and a lack of digital infrastructure. These problems have historically impacted operations, LGU employees, and constituents, creating bottlenecks in service delivery.
Through the Scan to Pay feature, users can simply scan a QR code displayed in city offices to make instant payments. The Bills Pay feature allows them to settle fees remotely at any time, removing the need for in-person visits. Together, these features offer flexibility and accessibility for Cotabateños, while helping the local government reduce congestion and improve transparency in its financial processes.
Boosting Efficiency and Transparency
The cashless system enhances safety by minimizing physical cash handling and potential errors in manual recording, ensuring more accurate reconciliation and efficient fund management. Cleo Santos, Vice President and Head for Public Sector at GCash, stated, "The integration of GCash in Cotabato City is a testament to the powerful impact of digital transformation on local governance. By replacing cash with a secure, efficient, and transparent payment system, we are actively supporting the city in streamlining its administrative services and fostering a better experience for every constituent."
Part of Broader Digital Transformation in BARMM
The partnership between Cotabato City and GCash is part of a broader effort to digitize government payments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, reinforcing the region's ongoing digital transformation. In his State of the City Address, Mayor Bruce Matabalao highlighted the success, noting, "Over 1,200 market vendors and tricycle operators are now enrolled in PalengQR Ph Plus, and daily transactions have increased by 30 percent within the first year of implementation—reflecting strong local acceptance of cashless commerce."
Advancing Financial Inclusion
This program holds strong relevance for BARMM as the region continues to strengthen its economic foundations and expand its digital capacity amid ongoing development efforts. In Cotabato City, one of BARMM's primary urban hubs, the initiative plays a key role in advancing financial inclusion by enabling residents to more conveniently and securely access essential services and government assistance through digital platforms.
By embracing this cashless ecosystem, Cotabato City is addressing operational bottlenecks commonly faced by LGUs while taking a crucial step toward inclusive digital adoption—empowering citizens to transact securely and confidently using technology they already have in their hands.
Future Implications for Local Governance
This collaboration reflects the growing role of digital finance in improving local governance, with GCash continuing to support local government units nationwide in building more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly systems. The initiative sets a precedent for other cities to follow, promoting a shift towards modernized administrative frameworks.
