The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
PASIG CITY – Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and Mercato Centrale have launched a joint initiative to strengthen the digital capabilities of Filipino Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through a focused workshop and three-day bazaar at Bridgetowne, Pasig City. The collaboration reinforces the rising national priority of equipping MSMEs, long considered the backbone of the Philippine economy, with practical tools to thrive in a highly digital marketplace.
The sessions delivered by RCBC covered financial management, digital payments, employee and goods protection, payroll systems, and social selling. Participants also explored RCBC’s MSME solutions including RCBC OneAccount Business, Hexagon Club Prestige, ACCESS Payroll, Personal Loans, QRPay, Tap-to-Phone, ATM Go, and insurance offerings from Sun Life GREPA and Malayan Insurance.
RCBC President and CEO Reggie Cariaso lauded MSMEs as the backbone of the Philippine economy and expressed the bank’s support. “Our clients’ success is the ultimate measure of our performance. We don’t just provide products; we provide outcomes. We are committed to being the reliable financial partner that helps you sustain profit and scale your passion,” Cariaso said.
At the heart of the initiative is RCBC and Mercato Centrale’s shared goal to accelerate the growth of MSMEs in the county vis-a-vis the rise of digital solutions. Armed with an experience and sustained success in sustainable finance for a growing and evolving diverse portfolio of consumers, RCBC shared its expertise and knowledge in leveraging digital solutions for short-term security and long-term growth in a highly competitive and highly connected globalized world.
To put into practice the knowledge and skills they have gained as well as test the effectiveness of digital solutions in boosting business productivity, RCBC and Mercato Centrale organized a three-day bazaar at Bridgetowne, Pasig City from November 21 to 23. Entrepreneurs used RCBC QRPay and RCBC Tap-to-Phone services to power consumer experiences that have become highly digital and seamless in recent history.
“Our partnership with Mercato Centrale extends our 80×80 vision by 2028, bringing digital solutions closer to businesses and emerging enterprises. By guiding MSMEs in using modern tools, we help them compete more effectively as the Philippines strengthens its role as an innovation hub,” said RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva.
“At Mercato Centrale, our mission has always been to empower Filipino foodpreneurs with the tools, training, and opportunities they need to grow. This partnership with RCBC allows us to take that mission even further. By introducing MSMEs to practical, innovative digital solutions—such as Tap-to-Phone and QRPay—we’re helping level the playing field so local entrepreneurs can thrive in an increasingly digital world. We believe that when we uplift small food businesses, we uplift families, communities, and contribute in our own small way towards economic development,” said RJ Ledesma, Co-Founder of Mercato Centrale.