BUSINESS | Visa, Maya, Chinabank, EastWest among first movers as Google Pay debuts in PH
The platform went live on November 18 and 19 through early partners Visa, EastWest, Chinabank, GoTyme Bank, Maya Bank, RCBC, UnionBank and Wise.
Google Pay has officially launched in the Philippines, marking a major shift in the country’s digital payments landscape as banks and payment networks begin enabling tap-and-pay transactions for credit and debit cards stored in Google Wallet.
The platform went live on November 18 and 19 through early partners Visa, EastWest, Chinabank, GoTyme Bank, Maya Bank, RCBC, UnionBank and Wise. The rollout is supported by the FinTech Alliance and aligns with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ policy recognizing mobile payment providers as technology service providers rather than fund custodians.
The move positions the Philippines closer to neighboring markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, where Google Pay adoption has expanded rapidly alongside contactless terminals and tokenized payments.
Visa rolls out Google Pay
Visa announced that cardholders can now add Visa debit, credit and prepaid cards to Google Wallet and begin using Google Pay for in-store, in-app and online payments. Powered by Visa’s tokenization system, each physical card number is replaced with a unique, device-bound token and a dynamic cryptogram for every transaction.
Visa said more than 10 billion tokens have been issued globally, reducing fraud rates by 58 percent across Asia-Pacific. Visa’s Token Service generated a reported $2 billion uplift for merchants in the region in 2023.
“We’re bringing speed and security to every transaction,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Visa’s country manager for the Philippines. He added that tokens “help prevent fraud while ensuring a seamless experience,” especially for travelers and merchants who rely on contactless payments.
To support consumer onboarding, Visa launched a promotional partnership with Pick Up Coffee across 100 stores nationwide. Customers paying with a Visa card via Google Pay receive a free drink upsize and an additional P50 off per transaction.
EastWest activates Google Pay
EastWest Bank became one of the first Philippine banks to activate Google Pay for its Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Customers can add their cards to Google Wallet and immediately tap to pay at NFC-enabled terminals or check out online without entering card numbers.
“EastWest has always championed innovations that make life easier for Filipinos,” said EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo. “We’re empowering our cardholders to pay with confidence anytime, anywhere.”
The bank said its implementation uses tokenization technology to protect card information and noted that debit card support will follow. The launch builds on the bank’s existing EWPay contactless platform.
Chinabank enables Google Pay
Chinabank activated Google Pay for its Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, making it one of the first local banks to support the platform across both card types.
Customers can add their cards to Google Wallet and use tap-to-pay in stores or pay online using Android devices. Chinabank emphasized that card numbers are never stored on the device or shared with merchants.
“This initiative is part of our broader digital transformation strategy,” said Jose Julian Baduria Jr., head of Chinabank Payment Solutions. “We want everyday banking to be seamless, secure and relevant to customers’ changing lifestyles.”
Chinabank said it will roll out consumer education campaigns to help customers onboard and use Google Wallet for tap-to-pay.
Maya brings Google Pay live
Digital bank Maya also enabled Google Pay for its Visa and Mastercard credit cards, becoming one of the first fintechs in the country to offer tap-and-pay linked directly to card accounts rather than stored wallet balances.
“Whether you tap with a credit or prepaid card, the experience will be instant, secure and seamless,” said Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-founder Shailesh Baidwan. Maya plans to add support for prepaid cards and integrate Google Pay functionality directly into the Maya app.
Maya said its control of payments and banking systems allows it to implement global standards quickly. The rollout comes as NFC terminals expand nationwide, with the company expecting tap-to-pay usage to grow as consumers return to physical retail.
A boost for PH digital payments
The launch comes at a time when digital payments account for 57.4 percent of transaction volume in the Philippines, according to BSP data—exceeding earlier targets and placing the country on track toward 70 percent by 2028.
Visa research showed that 97 percent of travelers in Asia Pacific prefer to bring cards when traveling, compared with only 17 percent who prefer foreign currency. In the Philippines, 44 percent of tourists said they encountered payment acceptance problems.
Industry analysts say Google Pay may help increase merchant adoption of contactless payments, reduce reliance on cash and broaden financial inclusion as more devices and cards become compatible.
With multiple banks launching in the same week, the Philippines joins a growing list of markets where tap-and-pay solutions have become standard for everyday transactions—from transport to retail to travel.
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