DOJ-Gcash agreed to recognize financial rights of refugees
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) signed an agreement with GCash in recognition of the right to access financial services of refugees and other persons of concern (POCs) through a secure, compliant framework
A framework was established granting qualified Persons of Concern (POCs) safe and supervised access to local financial services.
Through the initiative, vetted individuals can use a specific government-issued credential to register on local e-wallets, establishing a regulated pathway to the digital economy that complies with both national financial laws and international humanitarian obligations.
Led by the DOJ-Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU), the initiative ensures compliance with Executive Order No. 163 and the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, of which the Philippines is a signatory, and grants qualified POCs secure, non-discriminatory access to financial services.
The framework relies on strict regulatory safeguards to ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CFT) regulations. It also ensures Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Memorandum No. M-2025-021 is followed, which mandates financial institutions to prevent discrimination against vulnerable groups without compromising secure vetting protocols.
The DOJ in compliance with this framework, partnered with GCash during the commemoration of the National/World Refugee Day held at the Department of Justice in Ermita, Manila. Through this initiative, qualified POCs can now use their DOJ-provided credentials to securely open a GCash account and access essential financial services, including sending money, paying bills, and digital merchant transactions.
The event also featured an onsite “KYC On-the-Go” (KYC OTG) session conducted at the DOJ Justice Hall. Serving as an extra layer of security and compliance, the KYC OTG session provided supervised, face-to-face assistance to guide POCs during the account creation and verification process.
“The Memorandum of Agreement that we are signing today reflects a shared commitment to expand access to financial services while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulatory safeguards. It demonstrates that inclusion and accountability can go hand in hand, and that innovation can be harnessed to promote both financial integrity and social inclusion." said DOJ Secretary Fredderick A. Vida.
"True social protection means leaving no one behind. Today, we take another step forward in the Philippines’ long tradition of protecting human rights by enabling these vulnerable sectors the means to rebuild their lives with dignity, manage their daily needs, and securely participate in the communities that have welcomed them," said DOJ Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin L. Chan.
