Alcala: The municipal government of this town officially adopted the Paleng-QR Ph Plus digital payment platform in its public market and public transportation on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Manuel Collado expressed that the implementation of the digital payment system is a convenient solution for both consumers and sellers. It allows individuals to make purchases even if they are not physically present in the market. Although not all vendors will be covered immediately, a substantial number is expected to be included by February. The success of this initiative is expected to be facilitated by the cooperation of market vendor associations and the Tricycle Drivers Association.
In her address, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Dagupan Branch area director Ofelia Viray highlighted that the Paleng-QR Ph Plus Program is a joint effort by the BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The program promotes the use of QR Ph, the national QR code standard, which ensures payments are safe, convenient, and interoperable. This setup allows consumers to use bank applications or e-wallets for payments without needing cash or exact change. The program offers direct benefits by enabling faster and safer transactions for market vendors and micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs, while tricycle drivers gain from secure fare collection. Consumers benefit from enhanced convenience and transparency, and the local government is able to bolster revenue collection and public service delivery.
Gervacio Cacapit, president of the Market Vendor Association, voiced the vendors' support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of embracing this trend in business. He shared his personal positive experiences with digital payments.
The launch also included an account opening day hosted by financial service providers such as the BSP, Palawan Express, and Landbank of the Philippines. This was complemented by a financial literacy session aimed at educating vendors and drivers about the program.
Viray stressed the significance of financial literacy in conjunction with digital payments, ensuring that residents not only utilize digital tools but also manage their finances responsibly.
Natalia Dalaten, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 1 (Ilocos Region) Assistant Director, noted that using QR payments addresses issues with change, as the exact amount is paid digitally. She added that this advancement in technology reduces the need for handling physical money, which can be unclean, and minimizes the risk of theft or robbery as vendors no longer have to carry cash.
In Pangasinan, Alcala is the second town to initiate this program following Calasiao.
