Davao City adopts Paleng-QR PH for cashless payments
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Davao City adopts Paleng-QR PH for cashless payments

Nov 30, 2022, 5:55 AM
Dhana Garcia

Dhana Garcia

Writer

Davao City launched its digital cashless payment through Paleng-QR in a public market to secure an efficient digital payment system.

Davao City, aka the Crown Jewel of Mindanao, launched an inclusive, digital cashless payment system in a local public market by adopting the Paleng-QR Ph, a joint initiative of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that enables and promotes the use of QR Ph technology, the national standard for quick response codes, in public markets and public transportation services.

The launch was attended by Mayor Sebastian Duterte, BSP officials led by Governor Felipe M. Medalla, as well as officers from the DILG, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

BSP Monetary Board Members Antonio S. Abacan Jr., Bruce J. Tolentino, Anita Linda R. Aquino, and Eli M. Remolona Jr. were also present at the market launch. The Monetary Board met that week at the BSP Mindanao Regional Office in Davao City.

They were also joined by Davao City Vice Mayor Jay Melchor B. Quitain, Jr. and Davao City Councilors Bernie Al-ag, chair for Committee on trade, commerce, and industry, Bonz Andre A. Militar, Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz, and Al Ryan Alejandre.

BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, who leads the nationwide Paleng-QR Ph program, also expressed gratitude to the Davao LGU for its support. Also in attendance were BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan, Senior Assistant Governors Iluminada T. Sicat, Edna C. Villa, and Elmore O. Capule, and other key BSP officials from across the country.

Several financial service providers were also on hand to assist market vendors and public utility vehicle drivers with opening transaction accounts and printing quick response codes.

“I’m honored to be here today as we launch the Paleng-QR Ph program in Davao City, which will hopefully be the launchpad [to expand cashless payments] for the rest of Mindanao. We have to start where the chances of success are greatest.” Medalla said.

Mayor Duterte added that "going digital" is part of the city's modernization journey and encouraged Davaoeños to use cashless payment options in day-to-day market transactions.

He encouraged his constituents to try the PalengQR-Ph system and to spread the word to their neighbors about how simple and convenient it is to go digital. If necessary, the mayor advised parents to ask their children for assistance in opening digital transaction accounts.

Davao City is the second LGU to formally launch the Paleng-QR Ph program following Baguio City last August 2022.

Paleng-QR Ph seeks to make digital finance more accessible to a broader and more inclusive segment of society, as public market purchases and transportation fares are part of most Filipino’s daily lives.

"Nakakatulong sa akin 'to dahil kung wala akong [QR code], wala akong benta. Kasi iyong ibang tao hindi na nagdadala ng cash." Marilou Dinampo, one of the vendors at the Bankerohan Public Market, said.

Davao City, together with the BSP, plans to conduct Paleng-QR onboarding activities such as public information campaigns on digital financial literacy and cybersecurity, in order to encourage vendors from the city’s other public and private markets to adopt cashless payments.

The BSP remains committed to assisting LGUs in the successful nationwide implementation of the Paleng-QR Ph program, in line with the country's goal of developing an efficient and secure digital payments ecosystem.

Tags: #DavaoCity, #Paleng-QR, #Digital


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