PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) –The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has launched the PalengQR-Ph Plus in the province of Palawan to promote cashless transactions in public markets, business establishments, and local transportation, particularly tricycles.
Palawan is one of the local government units (LGUs) onboarded by BSP on its program along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
BSP Area Director Ronaldo Bermudez said that Narra and Brooke’s Point were the first municipalities to create an ordinance in Palawan.
“Isa sa mga sinasabi na meron na tayong provincial reso bukod pa sa nilalatag namin na programa, benefits na makukuha kapag magkaroon tayo ng ordinansa,” he said.
The Narra LGU will provide a 5 percent discount on the renewal of permits and licenses for three years, while Brooke’s Point will have a 10 percent discount for one year.
The launch was made after Governor Dennis Socrates signed Provincial Resolution No. 19907 enjoining all LGUs in Palawan to enact an ordinance encouraging all business establishments and local transportation facilities in their area to adopt digital payment.
“We are grateful for this technology. Mapapabilis ang kalakal, ang negosyo, the economy will be boosted. Maganda ito para sa ating lahat,” Socrates said.
The program uses QR code technology, which is the national standard for this technology. It provides merchants and customers with a safe and convenient way of making and receiving payments.
In November 2022, the Paleng-QR Ph Plus branding was introduced to expand digital payment in cities and municipalities across the country. It also includes other business establishments in addition to market vendors and tricycle operators and drivers (TODA) through the implementation of ordinances of LGUs.
BSP also guides the public in the transition to cashless payments through its conduct of public information campaigns in partnership with financial service providers, banks, and government agencies, Bermudez added.
There are also bank account opening services for the public. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
