Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have officially sealed a groundbreaking partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at transforming financial and logistical accessibility for travelers across the country. The ceremonial signing, held on Tuesday, May 6, marked a major milestone in promoting inclusive economic growth and expanding tourism reach, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
During the event, RCBC Deputy CEO and incoming President Reginaldo Cariaso highlighted the powerful impact of ATM Go, RCBC’s pioneering grassroots financial initiative, in supporting community connectivity and financial inclusion.
“This is a momentous occasion that opens up the Philippines—not only to our fellow citizens but also to the global travel community,” Cariaso remarked. “In many remote communities, ATM Go is often the only financial access point, making this partnership essential to realizing our vision of an inclusive, accessible, and digitally empowered Philippines.”
Cariaso also emphasized that the MOU with DOT is just the beginning of a broader roadmap. Future innovations include the expansion of digital payment infrastructure, agency banking, and financial literacy campaigns designed to empower both local businesses and travelers.
RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva provided key insights into the collaborative framework between the two institutions, underscoring shared goals in financial inclusion and digital transformation within the tourism sector.
The ceremony brought together key stakeholders from the financial and tourism sectors. Notable attendees included Mastercard Vice President for Member Relations and Marketing Judith Dayrit, Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro, and tourism industry leaders such as PHILTOA President Arjun Shroff, NAITAS President Florence Rivera, and GTBA President Michelle Taylan.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said, “Behind every experience is a Filipino worker, a family-run business, a local community that makes tourism possible. That is why the Department of Tourism continues to ensure that tourism growth is not just seen in numbers but is felt by people on the ground. Our partnership with RCBC through ATM Go brings us closer to this goal.”
“This initiative is not just about providing ATMs—or in this case, kapitbahay ATMs—it is about financial empowerment, giving tourism workers and small businesses in remote and emerging destinations the ability to participate in the formal economy,” Secretary Fransco added.
This strategic alliance between RCBC and DOT underscores a shared vision: to catalyze economic development and elevate the Philippines as a world-class, digitally connected travel destination through innovation and inclusive banking.
