MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Philippine government has partnered with the country's leading e-wallet in line with its agenda to modernize the local transportation sector with world-class payment solutions.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), the country's central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and leading local fintech giant GCash have launched world-class cashless solutions in Metro Manila's main rail line, the Metro Rail Transit System Line 3 (MRT-3).
This initiative positions the Philippines in the same category as its Southeast Asian neighbors, such as Singapore, which have implemented open-loop ticketing systems, which reduces friction for commuters, allowing them to use various cashless modes of payment.
The newly launched Automated Fare Collection System enables faster, easier journeys for MRT-3 passengers via a tap-in and tap-out method through multiple modes of payment: QR, mobile NFC, and debit/credit cards.
"This is just the beginning. We're working on this to make all turnstile carousels [equipped] with this option for various payment modes," said Transport Secretary Vince Dizon, adding the digital payment solutions will soon be available in other rail lines — the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2, and other mass transport systems.
"One of our core mandates is to make payments safer, secure, efficient, reliable, and more accessible to all. Today, those two goals come together," said Walter Wassmer, member of the central bank's Monetary Board.
To help ensure the success of this initiative, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said they have been working to enhance internet connectivity at MRT-3, allowing commuters to access the GCash app whenever.
"We're so proud and excited to finally launch this service in partnership with the government," said Martha Sazon, President & CEO of Mynt, the holding company of GCash. "Before, people would line up as early as 4:30 am just to buy a ticket. I hope that with this project, we can help them make their commute faster and more convenient."
About GCash
GCash is the Philippines' #1 Finance Super App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. Its mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only $5 billion unicorn in the Philippines.
GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From January 6–8, 2026, Arspura, a premium smart home appliance brand focused on healthier kitchen air, presented its latest IQV™ innovations at CES 2026 and hosted a three-day brand program in Las Vegas. Centered on exclusive technology, respiratory wellness, and user experience, the program brought together experts, product leaders, and real customers to spotlight how better cooking environments can start with better indoor air management.
At the heart of Arspura's CES showcase was its proprietary IQV™ Dynamic Particulate Capture Technology, designed to capture cooking smoke, grease particles, and odor at the source—helping reduce the common "smoke escape" problem many households experience with traditional ventilation. Through live demonstrations and deep-dive sessions, Arspura emphasized a clear brand promise for modern kitchens: Cook freely, breathe freely.
To watch highlights from Arspura's CES 2026 showcase, visit:
Day 1: Uncovering the Kitchen's Invisible Health Threats
On the first day of CES 2026, Arspura kicked off its brand program with a keynote by Professor Francesca Dominici of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Professor of Biostatistics & Data Science; Professor of Environmental Health).
Drawing on her research on air pollution and health, she highlighted the risks of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and emphasized that even low-level exposure can make people sick. She noted that PM2.5 can be particularly hazardous for older adults, people with existing health conditions, and individuals with asthma, and stressed that preventing cooking-related PM2.5 from dispersing indoors and reducing exposure at the source is crucial for family health.
Reflecting on this message, Arspura underscored its commitment to helping more households—especially those with asthma or nasal sensitivities—cook with greater comfort by reducing smoke and odor irritation, so more people can truly cook freely and breathe freely.
Day 2: Redefining a New Standard for Smoke-Free Cooking
On the second day, Arspura's product manager led a technical session explaining how IQV™ airflow design works together with high-airspeed capture (up to 13 m/s) to deliver high capture performance with minimal smoke escape. The presentation framed Arspura's approach as more than a product: a combination of technology and daily usability designed to make healthy cooking feel effortless.
Arspura also welcomed a special on-site visit and interview from media figure Yang Lan, who explored the booth experience and shared positive feedback on IQV™ technology and the IQV Hood concept—particularly its relevance for people sensitive to cooking fumes who want a more comfortable kitchen environment.
Day 3: Bringing Healthy Kitchen Living Into Everyday Ease
Arspura closed out CES 2026 with strong momentum, earning five awards during the show. To cap the three-day program, the brand invited its first group of IQV Hood users for a face-to-face sharing session, paired with immersive, hands-on demonstrations. Through interactive experiences and practical use scenarios, attendees felt firsthand how the product can deliver "health protection" and "easy cleaning" simultaneously, translating the idea of a healthier kitchen into tangible everyday value.
Passionate home cooks also shared how they had previously tried multiple traditional range hoods yet still struggled with smoke escape and lingering odors, while Arspura's IQV™ performance provided noticeably improved smoke capture and deodorization—making cooking more enjoyable and inspiring friends and family to upgrade after seeing the results.
What's Next for Arspura
Backed by strong recognition at CES 2026 and reinforced by firsthand user stories, Arspura's IQV™ showcase signaled a growing shift toward kitchen ventilation solutions that prioritize both health and everyday usability. Building on this momentum, Arspura will continue to develop smarter, cleaner-air technologies for modern homes.
