GCash, in cooperation with the Senate of the Philippines, held a cybersecurity learning session for Senate employees in May 2024, as part of its unified mission for a safer and more inclusive digital space for Filipinos.
Senate officials, employees, and the Senate media participated in the workshop held at the Senate Building in Pasay City, where leaders from GCash shared best practices in cybersecurity. GCash also discussed its various innovative products and launched its latest security measures.
One particularly helpful update was that people from abroad can now send money through GCash. It used to be very difficult and full of hassles to claim money from abroad. I remember one time when a friend in the United States sent some funds, and I had to claim it from a Western Union-registered outlet.
When I arrived at SM MOA, the foreign exchange counter was already closed. When I went back the following day, the teller asked for the sender’s address, forcing me to contact my friend even though we were in different time zones.
Recently, with GCash, I was able to receive money instantly sent by my sister in New York. Friends from abroad who tried it upon my advice were also amazed by the speed of remittance and are very thankful for this development.
I am writing this, though, also because I have encountered a small issue with GCash. In April this year, I tried to register another SIM card with GCash (a person can register at most five sim cards) and spoke to the Vice President for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Gilda Maquilan, on May 21 during the GCash 101 Workshop in the Senate.
I told Gilda that it had been over a month, and my account, despite several follow-ups, remains unverified, which should have been completed within seven days. I provided Gilda with the details of my application and the ticket number, and she kindly gave me her calling card. One participant in the workshop said her sim card has remained unverified for two years.
I texted Gilda; unfortunately, she has not responded, possibly due to her busy schedule.
Three months have passed, and my number is still unverified. I hope I will be able to reach Gilda when I text her again next time.
