EMPOWERING GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONALS: AN ANALYSIS OF CREDIT CARD USAGE AND FINANCIAL AUTONOMY

Financial Management

This study assesses how effectively credit cards empower working professionals employed in government agencies in Tandag City. Employing a descriptive-correlational research design, the study investigates the extent to which credit cards empower these professionals by assessing factors such as transactional convenience, credit-building potential, and the value of rewards and benefits. The sample comprised 45 purposively selected credit card holders from the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), representing multiple generations including Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Findings reveal that age significantly influences credit card ownership and perceptions of empowerment, with Millennials and Generation X exhibiting higher usage due to their career stability and financial responsibilities. Conversely, Generation Z shows limited credit card adoption, favoring alternative payment methods such as digital wallets. Other demographic factors—gender, civil status, income, employment affiliation, type, and number of cards—did not significantly affect perceptions of credit card empowerment, indicating broad recognition of credit cards’ financial management benefits across diverse profiles. The study further identifies that credit cards moderately empower users, particularly through convenience and flexibility, while rewards and benefits are underutilized. Respondents prioritize practical financial tools over promotional incentives, highlighting opportunities for issuers to tailor rewards to professional lifestyles and simplify reward systems. These insights provide a foundation for financial institutions to enhance credit card offerings, promoting greater financial autonomy and credit literacy among government-employed professionals.

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