AS DAVAO City continues to adapt to the digital age, Dabawenyos are also opening themselves to using technology in their purchases or bill payments.
In the survey conducted by the University of Mindanao Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO) conducted between December 5 and 25, 2024, results show a growing trend toward digital financial transactions, with Dabawenyos now regularly using cashless payment platforms and mobile wallets leading the way.
The recent survey polled 1,550 Dabawenyos to get their views on the use of cashless payment systems, particularly e-wallets, and to assess the perceived advantages and disadvantages of these platforms.
The survey found that nearly eight in ten Dabawenyos or 77.4 percent employ cashless payment platforms. Among those who use these platforms, nine out of 10 prefer mobile wallets like GCash and Maya. Online banking (24.0 percent) and debit/credit cards (23.83 percent) were also used but were less popular.
On the other hand, in terms of frequency, 34.58 percent of Dabawenyos reported using cashless payment platforms several times a week, 27.42 percent used them infrequently, and the remainder used them daily with 10.67 percent, weekly with 13.75 percent, or monthly with 13.58 percent.
SunStar Davao reached out to several residents of Davao City to gain insights into their personal experiences with cashless payments and how these platforms have impacted their daily lives.
Noriza Mabanding, a 28-year-old medical student and a virtual assistant, praised mobile wallets like GCash for their convenience.
"It’s faster, safer, and I don’t have to worry about carrying cash," she said.
Wyne Patrix Mabanding, a 25-year-old engineering student, also uses mobile wallets but prefers online banking for larger transactions due to security concerns.
"I trust the bank system more for bigger sums," he explained.
For Gilliane Azuro, a 26-year-old entrepreneur and a full-time executive assistant, cashless payments have become a norm. "I pay for everything through my mobile wallet — it’s easy and efficient," she noted, though she acknowledged that some of her relatives prefer cash due to unreliable internet access.
On the flip side, a 33-year-old businessman who refused to be identified expressed reservations about the rapid shift to digital payments.
"I’m not really comfortable with the idea of using apps for everything. I prefer to handle my money physically, as I’ve done my whole life," he shared. The respondent, who lives in a rural area of Davao, noted that he doesn’t always have reliable internet access, making it difficult to use cashless platforms.
"For those of us who are not tech-savvy or live in areas without strong internet, cashless payments can be more of a hassle than a convenience," he added.
However, the UM-IPO revealed that social media was utilized in the survey to reach the participants. The survey was distributed through sponsored ads on Meta platforms, specifically Facebook and Instagram. Respondents had to meet several criteria: they needed to be at least 18 years old, reside within a specific geographic area, have an active email address, and have used any form of cashless payment platform.
The survey aimed for a 95 percent confidence level with a 3 percent margin of error. Participants answered three key questions about the nature and frequency of their cashless payment usage, its impact on their spending behavior, and their views on the advantages and disadvantages of these platforms. DEF
