Victorias City has solidified its position as a pioneer in digital governance in the Philippines through a groundbreaking partnership with G-Xchange Inc. for the DigiCities Program, Wednesday, July 31.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez led the signing of the memorandum of agreement under the GCash’s DigiCities Program at the Victorias City Hall, a press release from Victorias said.
The collaboration aims to equip Victorias City with cutting-edge digital tools and expertise to revolutionize service delivery, foster financial inclusion, and create a future-ready community, it said.
Benitez announced that Victorias is the first LGU in the country to sign for DigiCities, an expanded program empowering the city and its key stakeholders.
He also shared his vision to “make a digitally inclusive and innovative city where all will benefit from the advantages of going digital.”
GCash Area Manager for Negros Benjo Hervias expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting Victorias City’s leadership in LGU digital innovation, the press release said.
“Victorias City has been a leader in local government unit (LGU) digital innovation and adoption,” Hervias said in his message.
With the DigiCities program, GCash aims to amplify these efforts by empowering LGUs, MSMEs, and the community, he said.
He also shared the impressive growth of GCash account holders in Victorias City, from 30 percent to 55 percent in just a year and a half.
The partnership has already yielded tangible results, including the integration of GCash payments for vendors and tricycle drivers, capacity building for city departments, and financial literacy training for employees, the press release said.
Benitez and G-Xchange representatives also signed the Implementing Agreement for the Citizen Card, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region.
Hervias , G-Xchange Visayas Regional Development Manager Kim Infante, and Area Manager for Total Visayas Chelcie Dene Olmedo represented GCash Business Head Edgardo Layug Jr.*