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Philippines’ Fintech Alliance Launches Campaign to Aid Taal Volcanic Eruption Victims

The FinTech Alliance.ph has mobilized the entire Philippine digital industry to quickly assist the victims of the recent Taal volcano eruption which is still at alert level 4 or ‘hazardous eruption’ imminent in the coming days.

Ashfall reached more than 100 kilometers including Metro Manila leading to the closure of Manila’s main international airport for a day and suspension of work and classes. An estimated 15,000 villagers had been moved to evacuation centres which could further swell to hundreds of thousands more being brought to safety.

Two initiatives under the #helptaaldigital campaign were launched by the Alliance.

The first is the fund drive using all FinTech and digital channels in partnership with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Inc. (PDRF) co-chaired by MVP Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Ayala Group Chairman Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

“We are replicating what we have done before when Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit Tacloban in 2013. We called on all Filipinos her and abroad to help the victims through help.ph, and they responded with dispatch. Now, we will again rally them to help the victims of this natural calamity,” FinTech Alliance chairman and RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva said.

“PDRF welcomes this collaboration with FinTech Alliance as we optimize digital technology in mobilizing the country to help our fellow Filipinos at this time of natural disaster,” PDRF President Butch Meily said.

There are various ways to donate. Millions of Filipinos using various FinTech platforms like coins.ph, GCash, GrabPay, PayMaya and TrueMoney can send money to 0915-2939533. Another option is to transfer from any bank account to the PDRF accounts (BDO Savings Account 00-5310-36205-4 or LANDBANK Current Account 1792-1038-78) through InstaPay or PESONet.

They can also use an interoperable QR code under the recently launched QRph, the country’s national QR standard. The donations will be managed by PDRF for relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Another initiative is the collaboration amongst online/digital lending member-companies of the FinTech Alliance.ph. They have implemented their respective loan calamity assistance programs (such as penalty waivers and payment extensions) for those impacted by the Taal volcano eruption.

Only eligible borrowers within the PHILVOCS-defined affected areas may directly coordinate with their respective online/digital loan providers.

“This is our little way of alleviating the plight of those devastated by this recent natural calamity by optimizing all digital channels. The spirit of Bayanihan lives on,” Villanueva added.

Participating online/digital lending member-companies are Acudeen, Asialink, Ayannah, BalikBayad, BillEase, Bukas, Cashalo, CrediPros, LoanRanger, MoneyMatchPH, SeedIn, Tala, and Uploan.