Victorias City has become the latest local government unit in the Philippines to adopt the Paleng-QR PH Plus program, a cashless payment system that is designed to make it easier and safer for people to make transactions.
The program was launched in Victorias City on July 11, and was attended by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez, and representatives from financial service providers such as LandBank of the Philippines, Union Bank, GCash, Maya, and StarPay.
Paleng-QR PH Plus is a joint project of the BSP, DILG, and LGUs that have endorsed the program through an ordinance. The system uses QR codes to facilitate payments between merchants and customers.
Vendors who participate in the program will be given a QR code that they can display at their stalls. Customers can then scan the QR code with their mobile phones to make payments.
The program has a number of benefits, including:
- It is more sanitary than cash payments, as it eliminates the need to exchange physical currency.
- It is more convenient, as customers do not need to carry cash or coins.
- It provides financial footprints for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which can help them access loans and other financial services.
Mayor Benitez welcomed the adoption of Paleng-QR PH Plus in Victorias City, and said that he encourages all vendors to participate in the program. He also said that the city government is working to improve connectivity in the city so that more people can use the system.
