China's e-commerce know-how helps Filipinos go cash-free

MANILA - With just a few taps on her smartphone, Jeanalyn Barata paid her electricity, water and internet bills for the month through a mobile wallet app called GCash.

Just two years ago, 24-year-old Barata, like most of her compatriots, had to go to a bank and line up several times a month to pay her bills.

Banking is now at her fingertips, thanks to the rise of mobile payment technology.

"I used to line up for more than half an hour at the bank to pay a single bill. Now, I can take care of it within seconds on my phone," Barata told Xinhua News Agency.

She said the mobile wallet app is also a boon to the local fruit juice company that she runs. As a brand manager, she oversees the operation of the company's 900 stores across the archipelagic country. Now, more than 200 of its stores have installed the GCash system.

"The mobile payment system really helps us a lot. Our employees can focus on making juice instead of stopping to collect money and give change. Customers can simply scan a QR code installed in the counters and transfer the money using their mobile phones," Barata said.