GFTN Select Series - Philippines

Arrival & Welcome Networking
Coffee and light refreshments served for high-level relationship building

Boardroom Discussion 1 - Inclusive Instant Payments: How Do We Scale with Viable Commercial Models?
The Philippines has issued clear mandates on inclusive instant payments. InstaPay and PESONet have built the rails. But converting regulatory intent into financial flows at the last mile - at the sari-sari store, the tricycle driver, the overseas worker sending money home - remains the hard problem.

With the support of global development partners including the Gates Foundation and open-source initiatives such as Mojaloop, the focus is shifting from basic connectivity to building resilient, interoperable infrastructure that drives true economic participation. This strategic dialogue will explore how to overcome existing friction points in domestic settlement, design sustainable commercial models for payment providers serving thin-margin populations, and ensure that the next generation of payment rails serves as a foundation for broader financial empowerment across the archipelago.

Boardroom Discussion 2 - AI & MSME Empowerment: How Do We Govern AI in Credit Decisioning Responsibly?
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises form the backbone of the Philippine economy, yet they face persistent challenges in accessing formal credit. AI is rapidly changing this dynamic -offering hyper-personalised credit scoring and sophisticated risk management that bypasses traditional collateral requirements. But when data is thin and populations are vulnerable, how do we ensure algorithmic fairness without throttling the innovation that could unlock capital at scale?

As institutions like GCash and members of the ASEAN Bankers Association deploy these advanced models, regulators must simultaneously establish robust AI governance frameworks. This session will examine the practical implementation of responsible AI guardrails, the role of alternative data in credit decisioning, and how public-private collaboration can scale these innovations safely. Findings will feed directly into The State of ASEAN AI Governance Report.

Boardroom Discussion 3 - Agentic Commerce & Future of Payments: What Does Commerce Look Like When the Agent Initiates the Payment?
The digital economy is moving beyond simple online transactions toward a future defined by agentic commerce - where autonomous, AI-driven agents execute complex financial decisions on behalf of consumers and businesses. This paradigm shift promises unprecedented efficiency but introduces novel challenges regarding consent, liability, and the fundamental architecture of payment networks.

Nowhere is this more consequential than in cross-border trade. As ASEAN’s bilateral corridors accelerate - remittance flows, MSME trade, digital infrastructure interoperability - the question is whether existing payment rails can support autonomous, real-time settlement across jurisdictions. New instruments including stablecoins are emerging as potential settlement layers for cross-border commerce, while traditional networks are re-architecting for speed. This session brings together technology pioneers, financial leaders, and policymakers to explore how existing payment paradigms must evolve - domestically and across borders - to support the next frontier of AI-driven commerce and trade connectivity.

Networking Reception
Key takeaways from the day’s discussions and networking drinks.