DoT expands digital payments in Siargao

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is expanding digital payment adoption among tourism businesses in Siargao through a partnership with Visa and USSC Money Services Inc. (UMSI), aiming to strengthen local enterprises and improve visitor convenience.

The initiative, implemented with provincial and local governments, has onboarded more than 100 tourism merchants ahead of Siargao's hosting of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the program forms part of the government's broader push to modernize tourism infrastructure and equip micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with digital capabilities.

“When we empower our MSMEs and tourism frontliners to accept digital payments, we enable them to keep in step with evolving tourist preferences and give our visitors the best that Filipino hospitality can offer,” Angara-Mathay said.

Under the partnership, merchants can accept contactless card payments using eligible smartphones through U Accept, a Visa-powered feature integrated into UMSI's uGrow app.

The participating businesses include accommodations, restaurants, cafes, surfing instructors and souvenir shops.

The DoT said the initiative supports the digital transformation of Philippine tourism by expanding payment acceptance and helping local enterprises benefit from the growing number of visitors.

The uGrow app also allows merchants to issue digital receipts, monitor transactions, and manage sales and inventory without requiring traditional point-of-sale terminals.

UMSI has onboarded more than 1,500 merchants nationwide since the platform's launch, with 40 percent in Luzon, 31 percent in Mindanao and 29 percent in the Visayas.