MANILA, Philippines — FinTech Alliance PH welcomes the appointment of Robert Joseph de Claro as the new Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), expressing confidence in his leadership and his ability to advance the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Prior to his appointment, de Claro served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Social Security System (SSS), where he championed the digitalization of services to make social security more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of millions of Filipino members and pensioners.
His track record at the SSS demonstrates how technology, when anchored on inclusion and citizen-centric innovation, can transform public service delivery and improve the lives of Filipinos.
“As the Philippines accelerates its digital transformation, we welcome Secretary de Claro’s appointment and look forward to working with him in advancing a more connected, secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered nation. His experience in transforming SSS services through digitalization provides a strong foundation for driving the country’s broader digital agenda,” said Lito Villanueva, Founding Chairman of FinTech Alliance PH and Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer of RCBC.
Villanueva emphasized that the country’s digital transformation requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-industry approach, with stronger collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, technology providers, and other stakeholders.
He added that key priorities include expanding reliable and affordable connectivity, accelerating digital adoption, strengthening cybersecurity and fraud prevention, promoting digital inclusion, and building trusted digital infrastructure that enables Filipinos and businesses to participate fully in the digital economy.
“As we move toward a more digitally enabled Philippines, we must ensure that innovation translates into tangible benefits for our people. This means not only expanding access to digital services, but also making them secure, reliable, affordable, and accessible to every Filipino, especially underserved communities and micro, small, and medium enterprises,” Villanueva said.
FinTech Alliance PH reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the DICT and other government partners in advancing policies and initiatives that strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem, promote responsible innovation, and position the Philippines as a competitive and inclusive digital economy.
About FinTech Alliance PH
FinTech Alliance PH is one of the Philippines’ leading industry associations for digital financial services, with over 170 corporate members collectively generating more than 95% of the country’s retail digital financial transaction volume. Its members include leading digital financial services providers, banks, fintech companies, and global technology and payments networks such as GCash, Maya, GoTyme Bank, BPI, RCBC, PNB, MariBank, Home Credit, Wise, Visa, and Mastercard, among others.
The Alliance brings together industry stakeholders to advance financial inclusion, digital innovation, cybersecurity, and the development of a trusted, secure, and inclusive digital economy.
