The Central Bank of the Philippines has lifted the moratorium on fee increases for InstaPay and PESONet transactions for all direct clearing participants in those automated clearing houses. The change was approved by the Monetary Board and will take effect when Circular No. 1238 on amendments to the National Retail Payment System Framework and the Regulatory Framework for Merchant Payment Acceptance Activities becomes effective. The central bank linked the move to the new framework introduced under that circular, including zero fees for small merchant payments and a pricing structure for person-to-person electronic fund transfers. It said those changes are intended to reduce fees for that segment and set parameters for responsible pricing and market conduct, while allowing a more responsive pricing environment under continued regulatory oversight and consumer protection safeguards.