The initiative is a jointly developed effort by the BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It aims to build a national digital payments ecosystem by promoting cashless transactions in public markets and on local transport.
The programme directs LGUs to encourage the use of digital payments among market vendors. Not only that, it also aims for community shopkeepers, tricycle operators and drivers.
DTI 1 Assistant Director Natalia Dalaten highlighted several benefits of the initiative. She notes that using QR codes prevents problems with change, as the customer pays the exact amount.
She added that it would also help prevent theft among vendors, as they would no longer need to carry large amounts of cash.
Despite these advantages, officials acknowledge that they need to do more work to promote the programme.
“There are those who use digital payments, but I have to admit, we have to do more. We need to partner with different LGUs, because by partnering with them, the use of cashless payments will be pushed”.
Within Pangasinan, Alaminos City is currently implementing the programme, and the town of Calasiao is scheduled to launch it soon.
As of September, approximately 222 LGUs across the Philippines have launched the Paleng-QR Ph programme or issued policies to support it.
