GCash rolls out tap-to-pay feature in MM

SINGAPORE—GCash users can now pay for their purchases by just tapping their mobile phones equipped with NFC (near field communication) technology at certain retail stores and restaurants in Metro Manila, making digital payments quicker and more convenient.

Neil Trinidad, chief marketing officer of the popular e-wallet brand, told the Inquirer on the sidelines of Singapore Fintech Festival they were currently testing this payment feature, targeting to fully roll it out by next year.

“The technology is ready. We’re in the final stages of onboarding merchants to be able to accept tap to pay or the NFC technology,” he explained.

NFC is a short-range wireless technology that can enable connection between the payment terminal and mobile devices.

Trinidad explained that the selling proposition of tap-topay technology is speed, which can also help merchants settle customer payments quickly.

“Instead of having to open up the app and wait or be dependent on any other factors, you just need to tap your phone,” Trinidad said.

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Meanwhile, the GCash official said they were also working to make this available in transportation by next year.

The idea is to enable commuters to pay for their trains and bus rides using the tapto-pay feature, eliminating the need to buy physical tickets.

Prior to this, Beep card operator AF Payments Inc. (AFPI) and software company Multisys Technologies Corp. announced their partnership allowing commuters to generate QR (quick response) code-based tickets via the Beep application for their rides at Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit trains and buses.