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Financial Literacy

“Cashless only po.” Bawal 'yan and here’s exactly what to do about it

Sep 22, 2026 · 2 min readBy KasKasan Buddies

Philippine Peso banknotes are legal tender, so consumers can use bills for purchases even when stores prefer cashless payments, subject to applicable rules.

  • Naranasan mo na ba ito? May cash ka naman, pero sinabihan ka ng store na GCash or card only sila. If that’s the case, that store may be breaking the law.
  • Under the New Central Bank Act (RA 7653, Section 52), all Philippine Peso banknotes are legal tender. No store can legally refuse your ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500, or ₱1,000 bills. There is no limit on banknotes.
  • Coins are a little different. Under BSP Circular No. 1162 (2022), there are limits on how much you can insist on paying in coins:

Philippine Peso banknotes are legal tender, so consumers can use bills for purchases even when stores prefer cashless payments, subject to applicable rules.

  • Naranasan mo na ba ito? May cash ka naman, pero sinabihan ka ng store na GCash or card only sila. If that’s the case, that store may be breaking the law.
  • Under the New Central Bank Act (RA 7653, Section 52), all Philippine Peso banknotes are legal tender. No store can legally refuse your ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500, or ₱1,000 bills. There is no limit on banknotes.
  • Coins are a little different. Under BSP Circular No. 1162 (2022), there are limits on how much you can insist on paying in coins:

Naranasan mo na ba ito? May cash ka naman, pero sinabihan ka ng store na GCash or card only sila. If that’s the case, that store may be breaking the law.

Under the New Central Bank Act (RA 7653, Section 52), all Philippine Peso banknotes are legal tender. No store can legally refuse your ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500, or ₱1,000 bills. There is no limit on banknotes.

Coins are a little different. Under BSP Circular No. 1162 (2022), there are limits on how much you can insist on paying in coins:

🪙 ₱1, ₱5, ₱10, ₱20 coins — up to ₱2,000 per transaction 

🪙 Centavo coins — up to ₱200 per transaction

But your bills? No store can say no to those.

This matters for millions of Filipinos. Around 34 to 37 million Filipinos do not have a bank account. For them, cash is not just convenient, but their only option.

If a store refuses your banknotes:

1️⃣ Politely cite RA 7653, Section 52 — New Central Bank Act 

2️⃣ If they still refuse — report to DTI at 1-384 or ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph

Share this with your titas, lolas, and everyone who pays in cash. They deserve to know their rights. 👇

Source: RA 7653 New Central Bank Act Section 52 (banknotes). Coin limits updated under BSP Circular No. 1162, Series of 2022. DivinaLaw, November 2025. Fintech News Philippines, August 2025.