Property payments in the Philippines are entering a new phase as Bank of the Philippine Islands and Ayala Land Inc. roll out Direct Debit, allowing buyers and tenants to automatically settle amortizations, rent and association dues from any participating bank.
Paying property bills just got easier
Previously, auto-debit arrangements typically required both the customer and the biller to maintain accounts in the same bank. That restriction limited flexibility and often forced customers to open new accounts just to enroll in automatic payments.
Now, customers can keep their existing bank accounts and authorize seamless recurring payments across participating banks.
Bigger than a feature
Direct Debit operates through regulated clearing rails aligned with the roadmap of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It complements InstaPay and PESONet, strengthening interoperability across the banking system.
For customers, that means fewer missed due dates and less manual fund transfers. For Ayala Land, automated clearing and same-day settlement to its BPI account improve cash flow visibility and reduce reconciliation work.
The move signals a shift from bank-specific payment systems to shared infrastructure.
If widely adopted, interoperable direct debit could reshape how scheduled payments work nationwide, extending beyond property into other industries that rely on recurring billing.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
