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Disbursement Channels

Understanding the various payment channels available in NextAPI for sending money to different recipients and destinations.

Channel Overview​

NextAPI supports multiple disbursement channels to handle different payment scenarios:

Disbursement Channels
├── Digital Wallets
│   ├── GCash
│   ├── Maya
│   ├── GrabPay
│   └── Other E-Wallets
├── Bank Transfers
│   ├── InstaPay
│   ├── PESONet
│   └── SWIFT (International)
├── Cash Out
│   ├── Pawnshops
│   ├── Remittance Centers
│   └── Convenience Stores
└── Alternative Channels
    ├── Mobile Load
    ├── Bills Payment
    └── Gift Cards

Digital Wallets​

GCash​

The most popular digital wallet in the Philippines:

{
  "channel": "gcash",
  "recipient": {
    "type": "wallet",
    "identifier": "09123456789",
    "name": "Juan Dela Cruz"
  },
  "amount": 10000,
  "currency": "PHP"
}

Features:

  • Instant transfers (usually < 1 minute)
  • 24/7 availability
  • Low transaction fees
  • High success rate (> 99%)

Limits:

  • Minimum: ₱1.00
  • Maximum: ₱100,000 per transaction
  • Daily limit: ₱500,000

Maya​

Formerly known as PayMaya:

{
  "channel": "maya",
  "recipient": {
    "type": "wallet",
    "identifier": "09123456789",
    "name": "Maria Santos"
  },
  "amount": 5000,
  "currency": "PHP"
}

Features:

  • Instant transfers
  • QR code payments
  • Virtual card support
  • International transfers available

Bank Transfers​

InstaPay​

Real-time electronic fund transfer:

{
  "channel": "instapay",
  "recipient": {
    "type": "bank_account",
    "account_number": "123456789012",
    "account_name": "Juan Dela Cruz",
    "bank_code": "BPI"
  },
  "amount": 50000,
  "currency": "PHP"
}

Features:

  • Real-time processing (under 1 minute)
  • Available 24/7
  • Supports 40+ banks
  • High reliability

Limits:

  • Minimum: ₱500.00
  • Maximum: ₱50,000 per transaction

PESONet​

Batch electronic fund transfer:

{
  "channel": "pesonet",
  "recipient": {
    "type": "bank_account",
    "account_number": "123456789012",
    "account_name": "Juan Dela Cruz",
    "bank_code": "BDO"
  },
  "amount": 100000,
  "currency": "PHP"
}

Features:

  • Lower fees for large amounts
  • Same-day processing
  • Supports all Philippine banks
  • Ideal for payroll and bulk payments

Processing Times:

  • Batch 1: 10:00 AM
  • Batch 2: 2:00 PM
  • Batch 3: 5:00 PM

Cash Out Channels​

Pawnshops​

Cebuana Lhuillier, Palawan Express, etc.:

{
  "channel": "pawnshop",
  "recipient": {
    "type": "cash_out",
    "provider": "cebuana",
    "reference_number": "1234567890",
    "name": "Juan Dela Cruz"
  },
  "amount": 25000,
  "currency": "PHP"
}

Features:

  • Nationwide coverage
  • No bank account required
  • ID verification needed
  • Available in remote areas

Remittance Centers​

Western Union, MLhuillier, etc.:

{
  "channel": "remittance",
  "recipient": {
    "type": "remittance",
    "provider": "western_union",
    "tracking_number": "MTCN123456789",
    "name": "Juan Dela Cruz",
    "address": "Manila, Philippines"
  },
  "amount": 15000,
  "currency": "PHP"
}

Channel Selection Guide​

Use Digital Wallets When:​

  • Speed is critical (instant transfers needed)
  • Amount is small to medium (under ₱100,000)
  • Recipient has mobile wallet
  • 24/7 availability required

Use Bank Transfers When:​

  • Amount is large (over ₱50,000)
  • Recipient prefers bank deposit
  • Business payments required
  • Record keeping important

Use Cash Out When:​

  • Recipient has no bank account
  • Remote area delivery needed
  • Cash collection preferred
  • Alternative to banks required

Channel Configuration​

Default Channel Settings​

{
  "default_channel": "gcash",
  "fallback_channels": ["maya", "instapay"],
  "channel_preferences": {
    "speed_priority": true,
    "cost_minimization": false,
    "availability_24_7": true
  }
}

Automatic Channel Selection​

{
  "auto_select_channel": true,
  "selection_criteria": {
    "amount": "auto",
    "recipient_type": "auto",
    "time_of_day": "auto",
    "cost_efficiency": "medium"
  }
}

Error Handling​

Channel-Specific Errors​

// Wallet not found
{
  "error": {
    "code": "WALLET_NOT_FOUND",
    "message": "Recipient wallet not found",
    "channel": "gcash",
    "suggestion": "Verify wallet number or try different channel"
  }
}

// Bank account invalid
{
  "error": {
    "code": "INVALID_BANK_ACCOUNT",
    "message": "Bank account validation failed",
    "channel": "instapay",
    "details": "Account number does not match bank format"
  }
}

// Channel maintenance
{
  "error": {
    "code": "CHANNEL_UNAVAILABLE",
    "message": "Payment channel temporarily unavailable",
    "channel": "maya",
    "retry_after": "2024-01-15T14:00:00Z"
  }
}

Fallback Strategies​

// Implement channel fallback
async function sendPayoutWithFallback(payout) {
  const channels = ['gcash', 'maya', 'instapay'];
  
  for (const channel of channels) {
    try {
      const result = await sendPayout({
        ...payout,
        channel
      });
      return result;
    } catch (error) {
      if (error.code === 'CHANNEL_UNAVAILABLE') {
        continue; // Try next channel
      }
      throw error; // Re-throw other errors
    }
  }
  
  throw new Error('All channels failed');
}

Monitoring and Analytics​

Channel Performance Metrics​

{
  "channel_metrics": {
    "gcash": {
      "success_rate": 99.5,
      "average_time": 45, // seconds
      "cost_per_transaction": 2.50,
      "volume_today": 1500000
    },
    "instapay": {
      "success_rate": 98.8,
      "average_time": 120, // seconds
      "cost_per_transaction": 15.00,
      "volume_today": 2500000
    }
  }
}

Real-time Monitoring​

// Get channel status
GET /v1/channels/status

// Response
{
  "channels": {
    "gcash": {
      "status": "operational",
      "response_time": 45,
      "success_rate_24h": 99.2
    },
    "maya": {
      "status": "degraded",
      "response_time": 180,
      "success_rate_24h": 95.1,
      "issue": "High latency detected"
    }
  }
}

Best Practices​

  1. Know your recipients - Choose channels based on recipient preferences
  2. Monitor channel health - Track success rates and response times
  3. Implement fallbacks - Have backup channels ready
  4. Consider costs - Balance speed vs. transaction fees
  5. Test thoroughly - Validate each channel before production
  6. Stay updated - Channel availability can change
  • [The Lifecycle of a Payout](./the-lifecycle-of-a-payout
  • [Handle Payout Failures & Retries](../guides/how-to/handle-payout-failures-retries
  • [Run Payroll (or any Mass Payout)](../guides/how-to/run-payroll-or-any-mass-payout