GCash, PayMaya take in Facebook Messenger for money transactions

GCash, the micropayment service of Globe Telecom Inc., and rival PLDT Inc.'s  PayMaya Philippines Inc. have partnered with Facebook on money transfers and bills payments.

Prepaid mobile load and data service can also be paid using the Messenger app.

“This integration with Messenger represents an exciting new way to reach the unserved and underserved people and communities in the country by making payments available via social,” PayMaya Philippines COO Paolo Azzola said in a statement.

“Our mission is to make cashless payments available for all and this new channel via Messenger will help us enable more people," Azzola said.

Formerly Smart-e-Money Inc., PayMaya is part of the digital financial unit of PLDT Inc.'s Voyager Group.

“This integration with Messenger represents an exciting new way to reach the unbanked in the Philippines, Albert Tinio, president and CEO of GCash, said in a separate statement.

“We want everyone to enjoy cashless convenience on their mobile phones, and we think that these new tools will improve the financial lives of our customers," Tinio added.

GCash is operated by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc.

In February, Ant Financial Services Group—the financial technology company controlled by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma—partnered with Globe Fintech to accelerate financial inclusion in the Philippines.

To make a GCash or PayMaya transaction on Messenger, a customer needs to search for @PayMayaOfficial or GCashOfficial on the app using an Android device.

A chatbot will guide users through the menu options to check balances, pay bills, and send money to other Messenger users.

People can also buy discounted prepaid load on their phone anytime, anywhere, directly in Messenger. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News