Chavit proposes credit, debit cards for Pinoys

Senatorial candidate Luis “Chavit” Singson has proposed the creation of a “Banko ng Masa” and local debit/ATM cards that would function as credit cards for poor Filipinos nationwide if he is elected in the 2025 midterm elections.

“Next month ila-launch na natin yung Banko ng Masa. Ipamimigay ko lahat sa taumbayan — dahil more than 70 percent walang bank account yung mga tao at 91 percent walang credit cards (Next month, we will launch the Banko ng Masa. I will distribute them to the people since 70 percent have no bank account and 91 percent have no credit cards),” Singson said in a press conference at the Bahay Kawayan in Taytay, Rizal, following his meeting with local officials of the province.

“Sa mga mayor dito mamimigay kami ng bank account by December, sa susunod yung credit cards wala ring bayad (To the mayors here, we will give bank accounts by December. Next are the credit cards, all for free),” Singson added.

Singson said the Banko ng Masa will have no requirements but one would only need to download the VBank app, fill out the digital form and submit it online.

The former governor said those who may apply for the VBank are single parents, senior citizens, and persons with disability, the vulnerable sectors of society. He said well-off Filipinos won’t qualify.

According to Singson, the local government units will help with the applications for the VBank and Bangko ng Masa.

Singson had been the president of the Governors League of the Philippines, the Mayors League of the Philippines, and the Councilors League of the Philippines, which are all under the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

As president of the Governors League, Singson left the group with P100 million in cash and as president of the Councilors League, he left them with P40 million. Singson said he was able to leave the huge amounts because of his anti-corruption advocacy.

He recalled what his father taught him — to keep the trust and confidence of the people.

Meanwhile, Rizal Governor Nina Ynares expressed her gratitude to Singson for constantly helping her constituents.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pagbisita nya dito sa ating lalawigan. Hindi pa man siya senador ay talagang tumutulong siya sa ating lalawigan dahil sa magandang samahan nila ng aking ama (We thank him for visiting our province. He may not be a senator yet but he has been helping our province because of his friendship with my father [former Rizal governor Casimiro “Ito” Ynares Jr.),” Ynares said.

“Kaya masaya ako na nandito siya at alam ko naman kung anong pagmamahal ang ating mga kababayan na sana maalala nila ang ating Manong Chavit (That is why I am happy he is here and I hope our countrymen will remember him),” she added.