Tagbilaran public market, tricycles join QR payment wave

CASHLESS PURCHASE BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (right) shows Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap (left) how to use a QR code to pay market vendor Emelia Doloritos. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The national government’s push for the wide adoption of digital payments through the “Paleng-QR Ph Plus” program has reached the Visayas via Tagbilaran City, which joined the cities of Baguio and Davao in promoting the initiative in their public markets and among local tricycle operators.

Developed through a collaboration between the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the program bolsters efforts related to financial inclusion and digitalization.

The Paleng-QR approaches these two concepts through local market purchases and transportation fares, which are two basic components of a Filipino’s day-to-day payment pattern.

Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, in charge of the BSP’s regional operations and advocacy sector, said in a statement that through the Paleng-QR Ph Plus, more Filipinos will reap the benefits of having a transaction account and shifting to digital payments.

“This will support the growth of small businesses and improve the quality of life of Filipino families,” Puyat said.

In Tagbilaran City, the program was launched at the central public market on Jan. 10.

Mayor Jane Yap said the Paleng-QR initiative supports their efforts to make Tagbilaran a “smart city,” one that uses the latest digital technologies to improve services to citizens.

Private groups in the financial services sector that are helping to implement Paleng-QR in Tagbilaran City include Asia United Bank, First Consolidated Bank of Bohol, GCash, Land Bank of the Philippines, Maya, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Starpay and UnionBank.

Market vendors and tricycle drivers will get support in opening a transaction account, which will allow them to use digital payments.

—RONNEL W. DOMINGO INQ