By: Dante Salvaña
Calasiao, Pangasinan – “Kailangan ng bawat Pilipino ang magkaroon ng sariling bank account.”
This was the statement made by senatorial candidate Luis “Chavit” Singson during an ambush interview at the Monarch Hotel in this town on Saturday evening.
The former Ilocos Sur congressman was on hand for the Calasiao Town Festival where he was the guest of honour.
“Ang pagkakaroon ng bank account ay para makapag-impok ang isang mamamayan at makaiwas sa bisyo. Dahil kung ano man ang sobra sa kayang kinikita, nauuwi minsan sa bisyo,” he said.
He added, “Andiyan ang sabong, sugal, alak, at Iba pang bisyo na puwede nila gamitin sa sobra nilang pera. Kaya gamitin sa bisyo, mas maganda itabi na lang Ito sa Bangko.”
Manong Chavit said that the reason why he is introducing his VBank.PH online banking is to provide the masses with an account without the hassle of ever going to the bank.
“You usually go to the bank and present various identification cards and documents before they could process your account. Dito sa VBank, selfie mo lang eh sapat na,” he said.
The renowned businessman said that VBank aims to provide a platform for the masses that even with those working with minimum wage can save their money there.
“This allows them to save their excess money and use it for a rainy day. Iba kasi pag may hawak na sobra, sa bisyo kagad napupunta,” he said.
The goal, he said, is to remove the money from the hand and put it into an online account, and make it into a habit of saving.
“Out of sight, out of mind. So hindi mo gagastusin ngayon ang pera na wala sa bulsa mo,” he cited.
The VBank app is a digital banking platform designed to improve financial inclusion in the Philippines, will be launched on Sunday, 15 December.
The event will be held at 3:30 PM at the Bridgetowne Destination Estate in Quezon City during the Blackout Festival, with celebrity guest Ai Ai delas Alas joining Singson at the launch.
VBank aims to provide Filipinos with accessible financial services by enabling users to open bank accounts through the app, eliminating the need for traditional paperwork. The app offers features such as money transfers to banks and digital wallets, bill payments, and mobile load purchases. It also connects users to over 6,000 cash-in outlets nationwide, including Tambunting Pawnshops, Puregold, and Alfamart, ensuring convenient transactions even in remote areas.
“This is not just about banking; it’s about giving every Filipino the tools to participate in our economy,” Singson said during a public demonstration of the app. “VBank makes it possible for anyone, regardless of location, to access essential financial services.”
