Apple Pay Expected to Launch in Philippines in Q3 2026, BSP Confirms Bank Readiness

According to Rappler, Apple Pay is expected to launch in the Philippines in Q3 2026, with local banks preparing for the rollout, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan. Tangonan told reporters during a roundtable that the central bank did not object to Apple Pay's entry and that banks were working to satisfy the platform's technical requirements.

Meanwhile, a tap-to-pay system for Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) is awaiting final agreement with the rail line's private operator, with Tangonan expressing hope for rollout within the quarter. This would follow MRT3, which began rolling out contactless payments in July 2025, and LRT2, which launched the system across all 13 stations on July 13, 2026.