city folk take the availability of the ATMs for granted, many people around the Philippines still have significant challenges obtaining access to their finances. In many instances, people in the rural areas travel many kilometers just to be able to go to the nearest town or city in order to withdraw from an ATM. The usual mode of transportation is the jeepney, or the motorcycle and  in more extreme cases,     the pump boat. In many really remote locations, it is a combination of all three modes of transportation.

Electronic Network Cash Tellers, Inc. (ENCASH) has made inroads by deploying ATMs in rural areas, making it possible for those underserved by commercial banks to access their money via ENCASH ATMs.

One of ENCASH’s most successful deployment occurred at the Palapag Teachers and Employees Community Cooperative, Inc. (PATECI). According to PATECI Manager Ms. Lea Ero, the townsfolk would normally pay at least P500 per person to ride the boat to go to the next island in order to obtain their money; then pay another P500 for the return trip home.  But with the installation of the ENCASH ATM, the townsfolk have much to be grateful for because they no longer have to spend such a huge amount to get their money. At the same time, the risks of braving the sea, especially during the rainy season, no longer exist. By making available their money, ENCASH also supports the community’s economic requirements. Thus, recipients of  pension and the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) find it easy, safer and cheaper to use the ENCASH ATM, rather than spending  a big chunk of their money on transportation alone.

Since January 2011, ENCASH added 17 ATMs in various rural banks and cooperatives around the country, bringing its ATM count to 293 in various stages of deployment.

ENCASH’s new partners include: Polanco Officials & Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Rural Bank of Alabang, Abra Diocese & Teachers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Rural Bank of Sta. Fe, Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives and many more.

ENCASH sees itself expanding its partnerships with rural banks, cooperatives and other MFIs in order to serve the Filipinos better, enabling financial inclusion to people living in the rural areas, countrywide.