DOF, GCash to make bonds accessible to retail investors

Retail Filipino investors will now have the chance to invest in bonds through the joint effort of GCash and the Department of Finance (DOF)

To be launched in December is “GBonds,” which will make investing in bonds easier and more accessible for the public, particularly retail investors.

Bonds, which are debt instruments, are usually offered to large investors like banks and other financial institutions, and governments, and the minimum lot is usually in the hundreds of thousands, or millions of pesos.

“For we envision a future where investing in government bonds is no longer a luxury but a new normal for Filipinos —with just a few swipes away and as easy as ordering their favorite food delivery. This empowers our people to effortlessly secure their future, all from the comfort of their homes,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.

He called on GCash, the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX), Inc., and regulators to speed up the process of launching the GBonds to bring the government closer to achieving financial inclusion for Filipinos.

“[A]s we push for greater retail participation and digital transformation, let me assure you that the economic team will continue fostering a stronger economy that provides favorable conditions for growth and investment,” he said.

With the recent enactment of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, Recto expects to bring in more investments that create high-quality jobs to increase people’s incomes, enhance their capacity to invest, and ultimately reduce poverty across the country.

“And rest assured, we will use every peso invested by our people in government bonds for public projects and programs that ensure prosperity for their lives and the future of their children,” he said.