VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — Some vendors in the wet market of Candon City in Ilocos Sur are now equipped to accept digital payments following the recent launch of Paleng-QR (Quick Response) Ph Plus by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The program, which uses QR codes to facilitate cashless transactions through digital devices such as cellphone apps in markets and tricycle hubs, makes it more accessible for people to transition to digital payments.
In a ceremony held at Candon Civic Center on July 19, Candon City Mayor Eric Singson stated the administration’s vision of transforming Candon City into a smart city to keep up with the evolving landscape of digitalization and connectivity, which are key drivers of development both locally and globally.
“Upon taking office, we simply initiated the framework for our smart city vision. Our hard work has paid off as Candon City is one of the four cities in Region 1 and among the 80 local government units chosen as pilot sites for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) smart and sustainable communities program. Furthermore, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) has tailored its digital cities program to empower rural areas with digital opportunities bolstering our endeavors. I encourage all of us, beyond vendors and entrepreneurs, to wholeheartedly back this program. Despite the inevitable challenges, I am confident that through collective efforts we can seamlessly transition our transactions to a digital platform starting from the markets to transportation and beyond,” Singson said in his message, which city councilor Vincent Jan Tudayan delivered.
BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr., explained in his message that by using QR Ph codes in daily payment transactions, business owners and their customers can expand their digital financial footprint.
“This will give them access to a wider range of financial services such as credit, savings, insurance, and investment. Just to mention to obvious benefits, QR Ph offers a fast, convenient, and safe way to make and receive payments. It’s been over a year since the PalengQr Ph was launched but rest assured the BSP will continue to support this program,” he said.
Meanwhile, market vendors, members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA), barangay officials, and entrepreneurs expressed their support and their interest in understanding the program more comprehensively.
Camilo Gaquing, President of Candon City Economic Enterprise Vendors Association, encouraged his fellow entrepreneurs to remain open-minded and embrace the new trends in business development, especially those initiated by the government.
He said, “Denggentayo dagiti kabaroan a wagas ti panag-negosyo, iso a barbareng iti daytoy a panagpartisiparmi ket umado ti paglakuanmi. Mayatkami iti daytoy. Daytoy Paleng-Qr Ph ti agbalin a channel tapno ti ili tayo ket agsaknap iti panagprogreso, itultuloy tayo a denggen ken suportaran dagitoy baro a wagas.”
(Let’s actively listen and adapt to the new trends in business development. We welcome this initiative and believe that our involvement in today’s activity will lead to a boost in our sales. This initiative will serve as a channel for the prosperity and progress of our city. Let’s continue to stay informed and lend our support to these new trends.)
He added that they’re looking forward to working closely with the city government and the BSP to properly implement the program and achieve the goal of providing efficient and quick payment transactions to their customers.
Loida Gacusana, the city economic enterprise development officer, said that at least half of the 300 wet vendors in the market are currently obtaining QR codes in preparation for the digital payment system at their stalls.
In collaboration with its identified financial service provider, Gacusana ensured that an orientation would be conducted for the vendors, especially those unfamiliar with digital technology.
It was also clarified during the event that the use of QR codes as an alternative mode of payment is still at the discretion of the drivers, vendors, and business owners.
Candon is the third local government unit in the province to launch this program.
The first one was LGU Tagudin in November 2023 and Vigan City in April of the current year.
To align with the city government’s goal of transitioning into a smart city, all business establishments and local transportation services in Candon City are continually encouraged to embrace digital payment methods for faster and seamless transactions. (MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
