MANILA, Philippines — A partnership between Globe AT HOME and GCash has transformed public markets into digital marketplaces, bringing connectivity and financial inclusion to the heart of the communities.
Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz and Darius Delgado, the company’s chief commercial officer, personally witnessed the activation of GFiber Prepaid Wi-Fi at the Maypajo Public Market which is home to almost 400 vendors that caters to over 96,000 residents in South Caloocan.
“This marks the fourth palengke powered by Globe AT HOME’s GFiber Prepaid and the first in Metro Manila, following successful rollouts in Lucena, Baliwag, and Valencia,” Cruz said.
He said that public markets are more than a place to buy essential goods as they are the heartbeats of local commerce, sustaining livelihoods and nurturing families.
Yet poor connectivity has long kept vendors and shoppers locked in cash‑heavy transactions, limiting access to financial tools and digital opportunities, Cruz said.
“At Globe, we believe that care for our customers means care for the communities and trade ecosystems they belong to. The palengke is more than an economic hub, it is the center of local commerce, where livelihoods are sustained and families thrive,” Cruz said.
By bringing GFiber Prepaid in partnership with GCash, Cruz said the telecommunications firm has empowered local vendors and small businesses to embrace digital tools that make transactions seamless, secure, and inclusive.
“This is how we demonstrate #AlagangGlobe: by giving every business owner, every ‘suki’ (loyal patron), and every family the connectivity they need to grow, succeed, and feel supported to keep going,” he stressed.
With eight GFiber prepaid devices pumping speeds of up to 100Mbps, the Maypajo Market has evolved into a consistent, dynamic and reliable hub of opportunity, he said.
As a result, Cruz said shoppers would no longer worry about heavy pockets or exact change, moving through stalls with the simple, modern ease of "scan-to-pay."
“For too long, traditional markets have been left behind in the digital economy, limiting opportunities for vendors and customers alike. With Globe AT HOME’s GFiber Prepaid and GCash, we are transforming palengkes into digital marketplaces, opening doors to digital and financial inclusion, social commerce, and resilience for Filipino families,” he said.
Delgado said that more than connectivity, it is the connection that empowers the Filipino.
“By modernizing the informal sector, we are building a stronger, more inclusive nation where every Filipino can participate fully in the digital future,” Delgado said.
When people are connected, they can access digital financial services that help them save, pay, and grow their livelihoods, Paul Albano, Gcash for Business general manager, said.
“It bridges the gap between everyday needs and essential financial tools, especially for underserved communities," Albano added.
Lisa, a long-time Maypajo market vendor, said she was overjoyed that finally they now have free and fast Wi-Fi.
“With GCash, sending and receiving payments has become much easier, and because of the free WiFi, I can keep doing my live selling without using up my data. This is a huge savings that I can bring home to my family, especially these days. Globe has truly strengthened and brought new life to our market," she said in Filipino.