eTap Inc. and Bayad Seal Strategic Partnership to Expand Payment Access for Filipinos

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Pasig City, Philippines – Electronic Transfer & Advance Processing Inc. (eTap), the leading provider of self-service technology in the Philippines, has officially entered into a strategic partnership with CIS Bayad Center Inc. (Bayad), the country’s most trusted authority in outsourced payment collection systems, to expand access to essential bill payment services for millions of Filipinos. This collaboration represents a major leap toward enhancing financial convenience, particularly in areas with limited access to traditional banking and payment facilities.

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The partnership was formalized in a contract-signing ceremony held at Bayad’s corporate office in Pasig City on June 30, 2025. The event was attended by top executives from both organizations: Miguel C. Hernandez, Chief Strategy Officer of eTap Inc.; Carlo C. Hernandez, President and CEO of eTap Solutions; Lawrence Y. Ferrer, President and CEO of Bayad; and Dennis S. Gatuslao, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer of Bayad.

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The integration enables Bayad’s roster of eleven major billers—including services in electricity, water, telecommunications, loans, and government transactions—to be accessible through eTap’s expanding network of over 3,000 self-service machines across the country. These kiosks are located in high-foot-traffic locations such as convenience stores, supermarkets, groceries, pharmacies, bakeries, and neighborhood retail shops.

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Expanding Reach Through Self-Service Technology

The core of this initiative is rooted in eTap’s self-service technology—a solution designed to provide customers with 24/7 access to essential financial services in a convenient, secure, and user-friendly manner. With this partnership, Bayad will now be able to serve customers even beyond their traditional over-the-counter branches, reaching those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

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According to Miguel C. Hernandez, “It was—naturally—a dream collaboration to work with Bayad—Bayad, being the leader in bills payment services in the country with their solid brand and reputation. Today marks the realization of that dream as we enable Bayad’s bills payment services in eTap’s network of 4,000 machines nationwide through our subsidiary eTap Solutions. I would like to acknowledge the presence of eTap Solutions’ CEO, Carlo Hernandez—who has led the expansion of our machine network in key cities nationwide.”

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Complementing the Phygital Shift in Fintech

The move aligns with the increasing adoption of the “phygital” model in fintech—a fusion of physical presence and digital capability that addresses the diverse needs of Filipino consumers. While mobile apps and online platforms are growing, there remains a significant portion of the population—especially in rural and under-served communities—who prefer or require physical access points to perform essential transactions.

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By combining Bayad’s deep expertise in bill payments with eTap’s cutting-edge self-service infrastructure, the partnership supports the fintech’s broader agenda of digital transformation and financial inclusion. It provides a hybrid experience that’s accessible to both digitally savvy users and those who are less familiar with online platforms.

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Rollout Timeline and Future Plans

The rollout of Bayad’s billers will begin in July 2025, with services gradually becoming available across eTap Solutions’ machines. The deployment strategy will focus first on high-density locations, followed by expansion to rural and under-banked communities. The goal is to ensure that all Filipinos—regardless of location—have access to essential payment channels that are easy to use, secure, and readily available.

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Empowering the Everyday Filipino

For many Filipinos, settling bills means traveling long distances or spending hours in queues. This partnership seeks to change that narrative by offering more accessible options that fit into people’s everyday routines. Whether it’s paying utility bills after a grocery run or topping up a mobile load while buying medicine, customers can now transact with greater ease.

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By empowering individuals with accessible financial tools, eTap and Bayad are creating a stronger foundation for inclusive economic growth. They recognize that access is the first step toward financial empowerment—and through innovation and collaboration, they are working to ensure that no Filipino is left behind.