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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9750 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
MANDATING FREE ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC WALLET APPLICATIONS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to the Financial Inclusion Survey conducted by the Bangko 
Sentral ng Pilipinas in 20211, the percentage of Filipino adults with mobile phone 
is 92% and adults using the internet is 77%. However, 44% of the total adult 
population or 34.3 million adult Filipinos remains unbanked. 
The Philippines has seen a rapid rise in the use of mobile wallets, with over 
50 million Filipinos now actively using these platforms. Electronic wallets offer a 
convenient and secure way to store and manage money, pay bills, transfer funds, 
and make purchases. This widespread adoption has played a significant role in 
promoting financial inclusion, particularly for unbanked and underbanked 
individuals. 
However, despite the benefits, data charges associated with accessing 
electronic wallets can be a barrier for many users. This is especially true for those 
on limited data plans or in areas with poor internet connectivity. These data 
charges can discourage users from utilizing the full potential of electronic wallets 
and limit their access to essential financial services. 
The Free Access to Electronic Wallets Act aims to address this barrier by 
mandating that mobile network operators (MNOs) provide all their subscribers 
1 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (2021) 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey. Available at: 
https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Inclusive%20Finance/Financial%20Inclusion%20Reports%20and%20Publications/2021
/2021FISToplineReport.pdf (Accessed: 12 December 2023). 
December 12, 2023
4:52 pm


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with free access to electronic wallet apps. This means that users will not be 
charged data fees for accessing, using, or transacting with these apps. 
The bill seeks to (1) promote financial inclusion; (2) increase usage and 
adoption of electronic wallets; (3) reduce reliance on cash; and (4) enhance 
digital literacy. 
The need for this bill is supported by several data points and statistics: 
1. High Mobile Wallet Penetration: As of 2022, there were over 50 million
active mobile wallet users in the Philippines, representing approximately half of 
the population. This high penetration rate indicates the significant role these 
platforms play in the lives of Filipinos. 
2. Data Cost Barrier: A 2021 study by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
found that data charges were the most common barrier to using mobile wallets, 
particularly for low-income users. 
3. Limited Data Plans: According to the National Telecommunications
Commission (NTC), the majority of mobile data plans in the Philippines offer 
limited data allowances, further exacerbating the data cost barrier. 
4. Benefits of Financial Inclusion: Numerous studies have demonstrated
the positive impact of financial inclusion on poverty reduction, economic 
growth, and individual well-being. 
5. Global Trend: Many countries around the world have implemented
similar policies to promote the use of digital financial services, including free 
access to specific apps and services. 
The Free Access to Electronic Wallets Act is a necessary step towards 
promoting financial inclusion, empowering Filipinos, improving economic 
activity, and contributing to the digital transformation of the Philippines. 
In light of the preceding, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9750 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
MANDATING FREE ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC WALLET APPLICATIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Free Access to 
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Electronic Wallets Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the importance of 
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financial inclusion and the role that electronic wallets play in achieving this goal. 
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This Act aims to ensure that all Filipinos have access to these essential financial 
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services by mandating free access to electronic wallet apps. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act: 
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(a) "Electronic wallet" means a mobile application or service that allows
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users to store, send, and receive electronic money. 
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(b) "Wireless carrier” also known as a mobile network operator (MNO),
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cellular company, or mobile network carrier, is a company that provides wireless 
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communication services for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. They 
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are responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that allows these 
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devices to connect to each other and the internet. 
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(c) “App,” short for applications; software programs designed for specific
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tasks, can be standalone programs or integrated into larger systems and are 
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typically downloaded from app stores. 
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SECTION 4. Free Access to Electronic Wallets. — (a) MNOs shall provide all 
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their subscribers with free access to electronic wallet apps. This means that 
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subscribers shall not be charged data fees for accessing, using, or transacting 
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with these apps. 
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(b) Free access shall cover all core functionalities of the electronic wallet 
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app, including: 
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i. 
Account creation and management 
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ii. 
Balance inquiry and transaction history 
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iii. 
Fund transfer and payments 
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iv. 
Bill payments and prepaid load purchase 
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v. 
QR code payments and cash-in/out transactions 
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(c) The MNOs shall be responsible for implementing the free access 
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provision and ensuring that it is accessible to all subscribers. 
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SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, the NTC shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
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regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that 
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may be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying 
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other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or 
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provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are 
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inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in the Official Gazette, in a newspaper of general circulation, 
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or on a website provided for by law.
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Approved,