Speaker Faustino G. Dy III on Tuesday welcomed the House approval of the third and final reading of House Bill No. 8468, or the proposed “eBayad Act.”
HB 8468 promotes the widespread use of digital payment systems in government transactions and among merchants to improve efficiency, transparency, and financial inclusion.
Dy said it moves the country closer to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a digitally empowered government and economy.
The House of Representatives passed the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measure with 257 affirmative votes, three negative votes, and no abstentions.
Dy said the bill underscores the administration’s push to modernize public services and expand digital financial systems nationwide.
“Our goal in the 20th Congress is to help build the foundations of a truly modern government—one where Bagong Pilipinas evolves into a Digital Pilipinas, where government services are faster, more transparent, and more accessible to every Filipino,” he said.
The measure requires all government entities to adopt digital payments for disbursements such as salaries, wages, allowances, honoraria, and cash assistance, which may be credited directly to recipients’ transaction accounts.
This includes national agencies, local government units, government corporations, state universities and colleges, and local universities.
It also mandates agencies to offer digital payment options for taxes, fees, tolls, and other revenues, and recognizes electronic invoices and receipts as valid proof of payment.
Dy said the shift would streamline transactions and reduce delays linked to cash-based systems.
“Ang layunin natin ay mas mapadali, mas mapabilis, at gawing mas malinaw at mas magaan ang pakikipagtransaksiyon sa pamahalaan. Sa pamamagitan ng digital payments, nababawasan ang red tape at mas nagiging transparent ang paggamit ng pondo ng bayan,” Dy said.
(Our goal is to make transactions with the government easier, faster, and more transparent. Through digital payments, red tape is reduced and the use of public funds becomes more transparent.)
The Speaker said the measure complements ongoing digitalization efforts, citing the eGov PH App as an example of improving public access to services.
“The eGov app has shown how digital platforms can simplify how citizens interact with the government. The eBayad Act ensures that payments and financial transactions move just as seamlessly in the digital space,” Dy said.
The bill also encourages merchants to adopt digital payments, directing local government units to provide incentives and assistance, particularly to small and micro businesses such as market vendors, tricycle operators, and food stall owners.
A steering committee led by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will oversee implementation, ensuring interoperability, transparency, and data security.
Dy said the measure would strengthen financial inclusion and boost the Philippines’ competitiveness as a digital economy.
“The shift to digital payments is more than about convenience—it is about building a modern financial ecosystem where more Filipinos can participate in the formal economy and access better opportunities,” he said.
He expressed optimism the bill would gain Senate approval.
“As we pursue the vision of Bagong Pilipinas, digital transformation will be one of the key drivers of a more efficient, transparent, and responsive government,” Dy said.
