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Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital payment systems has transformed financial transactions in the Philippines, with mobile wallet platforms becoming central to everyday economic activities. This study examines the market dominance of GCash within the Philippine digital payment ecosystem using a secondary data analysis approach. Data were synthesized from official statistics, industry reports, and fintech market analyses to examine trends in digital payment adoption, mobile wallet usage, merchant integration, and market growth. Findings indicate an increase in digital payment adoption, with the share of digital retail payments rising from approximately 1% in 2013 to 57.4% in 2024. Concurrently, GCash experienced user expansion, growing from 20 million registered users in 2019 to more than 81 million in 2023, alongside a merchant network exceeding 2.5 million partners nationwide. Comparative analysis also shows that GCash maintains the most comprehensive service ecosystem among Philippine e-wallet platforms, contributing to its widespread adoption among consumers and small businesses. The results suggest that platform accessibility, trust, convenience, and network effects contribute to the platform’s dominant position. This study provides empirical insight into the structural and behavioral factors shaping digital payment adoption in the Philippines and highlights the role of fintech platforms in supporting the country’s expanding digital economy.

Abstract

The increasing reliance on digital technologies in education has intensified concerns regarding unequal access to digital resources across countries, particularly in developing regions. While digital connectivity has the potential to enhance learning opportunities, disparities in internet access and technological infrastructure may contribute to unequal educational outcomes. This study examines the relationship between the digital divide and educational inequality in Asia through a cross-country secondary data analysis of connectivity, access, and student achievement. Using publicly available datasets from the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the study analyzes key indicators of internet access, digital infrastructure, student achievement, and educational inequality across selected Asian countries. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression models were employed to examine structural associations among variables. The results indicate that internet access is positively associated with student achievement and negatively associated with educational inequality. Digital infrastructure also demonstrates positive associations with educational performance and lower levels of inequality. In contrast, rural population is negatively associated with student achievement and positively associated with educational inequality. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of digital connectivity and technological capacity in shaping both the quality and equity dimensions of education systems across diverse national contexts.

Author Biographies

Mhel Cedric D. Bendo, Polytechnic University of the Philippines–Maragondon Campus

Mhel Cedric D. Bendo is a student researcher and academic writer pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship at Polytechnic University of the Philippines–Maragondon Campus. His research interests include mobile learning, digital learning environments, AI in education, educational psychology, curriculum studies, educational assessment, and financial technology (FinTech). He serves on the editorial boards of the SIAR-Global Journal of Humanities, Management & Educational Review, SIAR-Global Journal of Literatures & Educational Review, the International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Exploration (IJMRE), and the International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Application (IJAMA), and also works as a technical editor for an international academic journal. He is a reviewer for multiple international peer-reviewed journals, including Cogent Education (Taylor & Francis). He is an active researcher who has authored several studies published and forthcoming in international and Scopus-indexed journals, while his research-informed commentary has appeared in national and regional Philippine newspapers, including the Manila Bulletin.

Dr. Domar C. Alviar, National University–Manila

Domar C. Alviar is an Associate Professor at National University–Manila, where he is a 2026 Gawad Pantas awardee. He holds a Master of Development Communication and Doctor of Communication from the University of the Philippines Open University. A CHED-SIKAP scholar, his research interests include development communication, systems thinking, ethnomethodology and conversation analysis (EMCA), media ethics, law, and ethical artificial intelligence in education. He serves on the Steering Committee of the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO) and contributes to academic discussions on academic integrity, higher education, and ethical AI. He previously worked in Middle East and North Africa customs relations and international supply management and served as publications and communications editor at Adamson University. He writes the “Inside Academe” column for Tutubi.ph and contributes opinion articles to national broadsheets, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer and other publications.

The Ithaka S+R Library Survey 2022 examines strategy and leadership issues from the perspective of library deans and directors at not-for-profit four-year academic institutions across the United States. Respondents were asked about their strategies related to services, collections, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), budget, and personnel, their leadership roles within and outside of the library, and their vision for the role of the library. Demographic variables include respondents' number of years in their position, respondents' age, race/ethnicity, and Carnegie Classification.

The Army Map Service was a cartographic agency that focused on the compilation, publication, and distribution of military topographic maps. This collection contains georeferenced historical maps of India and Pakistan collected from 1955-1963 from the U502 series.

The maps are provided as TIFF files that include spatial references that can be read by GIS software. These maps are organized by segments which are then divided into square tiles. The corners of each of these tiles contain an anchor point with corresponding coordinates alongside additional anchor points like a: coastal region, legend, glossary, scale, and a location diagram.

The nation's libraries, museums, historical societies, archives, and scientific institutions hold in their collections 13 billion items, from furniture to photos and sheet music to soil samples. These make up the tangible objects of the United States' national heritage and are cataloged, shelved, stored, and protected. Digital collections are now reaching new audiences and challenging institutions large and small.

In 2004, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) supported Heritage Preservation in conducting the Heritage Health Index Survey (HHIS). This survey assessed the preservation needs of America's cultural heritage institutions and provided a benchmarking tool for collections care practice. Ten years later, IMLS took a look at where collections care and management challenges and opportunities stood. The 2014 survey included many questions similar to those in 2004 and introduced new questions about preservation of digital collections.

The data contains records for 1,714 collecting institutions. The sample was stratified by type of institution (archives, historical societies, libraries, museums, and scientific collections) and size (large/medium or small). These institutions represent a universe of 31,290 collecting institutions. For the purposes of HHIS, eligibility was based on whether institutions had accepted preservation responsibility for collections of nonliving tangible and digital collections but excluded collections meant to be used by visitors or patrons and disposed of or replaced if they are lost or damaged.