RIZAL Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Deputy CEO and incoming President Reginaldo Cariaso underscored the transformative potential of RCBC’s ATM Go initiative in enhancing the country’s accessibility to travelers during his message at the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday, May 6.
“What we have just witnessed is a really momentous opportunity and occasion to really open up the Philippines to our community and to international travels from abroad. We are here because we know how beautiful the Philippines is, but we need to improve its access, both financially and logistically, and this is just the beginning of all of that,”said Cariaso, sharing that in remote communities, ATM Go often serves as the lone hub for financial transactions, enabling real connectivity and community inclusion.
Cariaso added that this DOT-RCBC partnership marks just the beginning, with many innovations in the pipeline, including digital payments and agency banking, coupled with holistic education for broader financial empowerment.
Meanwhile, RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva provided an overview of the shared responsibilities of both parties under the MOU.
Also in attendance were Mastercard Vice President for Member Relations and Marketing Judith Dayrit, Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro, and national tourism association leaders, including Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) President Arjun Shroff, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) President Florence Rivera, and Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) President Michelle Taylan. Officers from RCBC and members of the media were also present.
DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano delivered the welcome remarks, while Undersecretary Maria Rica Bueno; Assistant Secretaries Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Judilyn Quiachon, and Ronald Conopio; Directors Glenn Albert Ocampo, Paulo Benito Tugbang, and Alven Talisic; and Head Executive Assistant Frances Jan Villarino also joined the event.
Representing DOT’s attached agencies were Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) Executive Director Marco Angelo Ancheta, Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) Acting Chief Operating Officer Patrick Joel Cinco, and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Assistant Chief Operating Officer Atty. Joy Bulauitan.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the Department of Tourism – Philippines Facebook Page.
