Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with GCash, a prominent e-wallet system, to grant refugees in the Philippines access to digital financial services. The MOA was signed on Monday at the DOJ Justice Hall.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement was signed by several key figures, including DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida, Dennis Arvin Chan, head of the Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (RSPPU), and GCash Vice Presidents Jorge Franco Sarmiento and Cleo Celeste Santos. This initiative aligns with the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, emphasizing the importance of extending financial inclusivity to refugees.

Vida highlighted the challenges refugees face, such as documentation and verification barriers, which often limit their access to formal financial institutions. The program aims to address these issues and is expected to benefit approximately 1,000 refugees within the country.

He further stressed the critical role of financial services in today's digital era, noting that access is now an essential component of economic participation. Through platforms like GCash, individuals can manage income, perform transactions, build savings, and support their families, thereby enhancing their overall financial stability.