SOME 250 exhibitors coming from 14 regions in the Philippines are set to lead the first-ever Cashless Expo which will start on November 17 to 19 at the World Trade Expo in Pasay City.

According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco, the event can be dubbed as "the first of its kind" as the only modes of payment that they will accept involve cash transfers via digital banks, e-wallets, or credit cards.

The said expo will be a one-stop bazaar for consumers who are looking to get their hands on locally-made products at affordable prices.

“Pwede kayong makabili ng maraming local products, pati gulay,” said Pacheco.

He said that the Cashless Expo 2023 is a partnership among the DTI, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and some of the country’s leading fintechs like Maya Bank and GCash.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said that they are encouraging more merchants and consumers alike to shift to digital payment transactions.

“For merchants, we hope that they can see how digitalization can help enhance the efficiency of their operations and help them expand their product reach,” said BSP Senior Assistant Governor Edna Villa.

“For consumers and suppliers to merchants, the ease of receiving and making payments, respectively, para wala nang takot...mawala yung pera, manakawan ka. Yung mga fear na yan, mawawala pag cashless na tayo,” she added.