Inclusive Loans for Growth: The GCash Fuse Impact in Taguig

Filipinos have always had a knack for entrepreneurship — just look at the countless sari-sari stores and carinderia lining streets in cities and neighborhoods across the country. This everyday hustle speaks not only of creativity and resilience but also of the instinct to seize opportunities wherever customers are found. Yet, passion and determination alone are often not enough; financing remains a key hurdle for many aspiring business owners seeking to grow and scale their operations.

For sari-sari store owners Ana Rhea Sarmiento (41), Irene Villacastin (60), and Evelyn Ducusin (56), accessing loans has been seamless thanks to the GCash lending arm. Speaking at the “Driving Inclusive Finance for Filipino MSMEs” event — a partnership between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Fuse Financing Inc. in Taguig — these women shared how digital financing helped fund their working capital and grow their businesses.

Sarmiento recalls, “Yung first loan ko po sa GCash, ginamit ko sa aking maliit na sari-sari store para pang-Dagdag ng puhunan, pambili ng stock sa tindahan para sigurado pong hindi ako nauubusan ng bentahin.” (I used my first GCash loan as additional capital for my sari-sari store — buying more stock so I would never run out of items to sell.)

Villacastin adds that borrowing from a trusted digital lender allowed her business to thrive, which in turn helped sustain her family’s daily needs. Ducusin has leveraged GCash loans multiple times to expand her business, demonstrating how accessible financing can empower small entrepreneurs.

These women represent millions of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) driving the Philippine economy forward. Many face barriers in securing loans from traditional banks due to strict documentation requirements or lack of credit history. GCash, however, has been breaking down these barriers — most recently through a ₱1.75-billion credit facility in partnership with ADB, aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs and MSMEs, especially in underserved areas.

“Investing in these businesses accelerates support for women entrepreneurs and small enterprises in underserved areas — sectors with immense potential to drive long-term growth,” says Tony Isidro, president and CEO of Fuse Financing Inc.

GCash also provides access to funds for personal needs. Ducusin used a loan to cover review center expenses for her child taking the architecture licensure exam: “Sobrang nakaka-proud po kasi first take lang niya, nakapasa na po siya.” (It’s truly something to be proud of — my child passed on the first try.) Sarmiento also relied on GCash to settle urgent medical expenses for her father: “Pasalamat po talaga kami dahil nga sa bilis ng GCash, nabayaran namin agad ang mga kailangan ni Tatay.” (We’re truly thankful that, with GCash’s fast service, we were able to take care of my father’s needs immediately.)

GCash simplifies borrowing by reducing paperwork and relying on GScore, a digital rating based on users’ financial behavior, to determine eligibility. Its offerings include GLoan for business capital and personal use, GGives for buy now, pay later, and GCredit, a revolving credit line for qualified users.

At its core, GCash provides a way for Filipinos to borrow with dignity. Ducusin shares, “Magaan po sa feeling talaga na wala kang maririnig na panunumbat kapag sa ibang tao o sa kamag-anak ka naghiram.” (It feels great not to worry about comments when borrowing, unlike when borrowing from family or friends.) Villacastin echoes this sentiment: “Dama mo kasi na pinagkakatiwalaan ka at mas naeengganyo kang magtrabaho at pagbutihin yung negosyo mo dahil nga suportado ka ng GCash.” (You feel trusted, and it motivates you to work harder because GCash has your back.)

As of the end of 2025, Fuse has disbursed ₱362 billion in loans to 10.5 million unique borrowers, with three out of five borrowers being women and four out of five coming from the masses. By enabling accessible, trustworthy financing, GCash and Fuse are helping Filipino entrepreneurs turn their dreams into sustainable businesses — proving that with the right support, opportunities truly know no bounds.