In observation of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, and the Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines (PDAP), are working together to raise awareness on human trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children(OSAEC).
Through its partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), PDAP’s Strengthening Local Systems and Partnerships for more Effective and Sustainable Counter Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines (Strength CTIP) project has collaborated with national government agencies, local governments, local non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to combat labor trafficking, online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC), and the development of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM), as well as other forms of human trafficking.
The Philippine government and local non-government organizations estimate that 60,000 to 100,000 Filipino children are trafficked annually, while the prevalence of OSAEC and CSAEM has increased in recent years especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The pandemic also increased the number of unemployed workers, making them more vulnerable to labor trafficking.
The Philippines remains to be a Tier 1 country in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons report of the US State Department, acknowledging the efforts of the Philippine government in addressing human trafficking. However, much more can be done by involving the general public in combating human trafficking.
Today, July 30, 2024, GCash users will see a pop-up on the GCash app, encouraging users to be aware of the problem of human trafficking and encouraging them to report any instance of human trafficking that they experience or witness.
“USAID and PDAP's Strength CTIP Project looks forward to a strong partnership with GCash in the fight against human trafficking. GCash enables their 94 million users to learn more about the red flags of human trafficking and provides the means to report traffickers,”
said PDAP Strength CTIP Chief of Party Eugenio M. Gonzales.
“This collaboration highlights the private sector's crucial role in addressing social ills."
“GCash is committed to promoting trust and security, which includes the safety and well-being of all Filipinos,”
said Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, GCash Chief Legal Officer.
“We recognize the power of our platform in amplifying important advocacies that directly affect vulnerable members of our community. We join our partners and other stakeholders around the world in raising awareness about the importance of putting an end to human trafficking.”
GCash has been a staunch advocate for safer online spaces and more secure fintech platforms for Filipinos. The company has been working with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to promote a safer and more secure cyberspace, especially for the most vulnerable sectors in the Philippines, which include women and children.
Instances or experiences of human trafficking may be reported via the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking at (02) 1343 or via www.1343actionline.ph or the Department of Migrant Workers at (02) 1348 or via repat@dmw.gov.ph.
About Mynt
Mynt is the first and only $5 billion unicorn in the Philippines. It's a leader in mobile financial services focused on accelerating financial inclusion through mobile money, financial services, and technology. Mynt operates two fintech companies: GXI, the mobile wallet operator of GCash — the #1 Finance App in the Philippines, and Fuse Lending, a tech-based lending company that gives Filipinos access to microloans and business loans.
About GCash
GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash’s mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only duacorn in the Philippines.
Mynt and GCash are staunch supporters of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.
For more information, please contact:
Bruce Rodriguez, Head of Business Communications
Corporate Communications
Legal Disclaimer & Safe Harbor Statement
This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, or form part of, any offer, solicitation, or invitation to sell, issue, purchase, or subscribe for any securities in the Philippines, the United States, or any other jurisdiction. No securities of Mynt, Inc. have been or will be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. There will be no public offering of the securities of the Company in the United States. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this document or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this document or the information contained herein, will not be accepted. Any potential initial public offering and listing in the Philippines, if pursued, remain fully subject to prevailing market conditions and regulatory approvals, including the registration requirements of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing rules of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc., and there can be no assurance that any such filings will be made or that any offering or listing will be consummated. This document contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties; actual results, timelines, and outcomes may differ materially from those projected due to shifting market dynamics, economic environments, and regulatory updates.
