The Cebu provincial government has partnered with GCash operator G-Xchange Inc. to expand its digital payment options, making government transactions closer to the people.
With the partnership, Cebu becomes the first provincial government in the Visayas and Mindanao to integrate GCash into its payment system.
The partnership was sealed in an agreement signed at the Capitol on June 9, by Gov. Pam Baricuatro and G-Xchange vice president Cleo Celeste Santos, which was witnessed by some members of the Provincial Board and GCash executives.
The province's shift toward digital payments began late last year after the Provincial Board approved a resolution authorizing the governor to enter into an agreement with the service provider.
It is about accessibility
Baricuatro said digitalization is not just about adopting new technology, but about making government services more accessible and convenient for every Cebuano.
“Digitalization is also about inclusion. We want every Cebuano, whether in our cities, municipalities, or island barangays, to benefit from the convenience and opportunities that technology can provide,” she said.
Santos, for her part, said the partnership would help make government services closer, safer, faster, and more humane for residents throughout Cebu.
Streamline
The partnership will allow Cebuanos to pay for various Capitol services through GCash, making transactions faster and more convenient, especially for residents in remote municipalities and island communities.
Among the immediate beneficiaries are 1,334 electricity consumers on Malapascua Island, 3,374 water consumers in Moalboal, and around 1,500 water consumers in Carmen who are enrolled in Capitol-operated utility services.
The provincial government operates heavy-duty generator sets to provide power for Malapascua, a small island at the northern tip of Cebu which is known for its white-sand beaches and world-class diving sites.
The digital payment platform will also cover a wide range of provincial transactions, including payments for real property taxes, transfer taxes, franchise taxes, governor’s permits, sand and gravel fees, quarry-related penalties, extraction fees, delivery truck penalties, and other government services.
How to pay
To pay provincial taxes, fees and penalties through GCash, search for "Province of Cebu" on the app (not "Cebu Province").
Covered transactions include payments for transfer tax, real property tax, sand and gravel taxes and fees, taxes on delivery trucks and vans (stickers), franchise tax, rental fees, professional tax, penalties on delivery trucks, and quarrying and extraction penalties.
Users only need to enter the required details and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment.
The platform provides separate payment options for electricity bills in Malapascua and water bills in Carmen and Moalboal, which are covered by the Capitol's inter-LGU waterworks system. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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