CAGAYAN DE ORO – The local government is planning to introduce a cashless payment system in public markets, aimed at utilizing quick response (QR) codes for transactions.
According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, a technical briefing on the Paleng-QR Ph program was conducted for Mayor Rolando Uy last April. This is part of a broader effort by the national government to encourage local governments across the Philippines to adopt digital payments. "We would like to thank the city council's trade and commerce committee for taking the initiative and the various stakeholders that participated in the consultations," Magahin said.
In the consultations, both the Cogon United Market Vendors Association and the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) participated. Magahin also revealed that the Department of Information Communications and Technology regional office (DICT-10) has promised to offer free Wi-Fi connectivity in Cogon, Carmen, and Bulua public markets upon the launch of the Paleng-QR Ph program.
The program itself is a national initiative between BSP and the payments industry to standardize QR codes for digital payments across different banks or wallet providers, aiming for interoperability and convenience. Magahin expressed support for the local government’s decision to initially roll out the program in public markets before expanding it to other sectors, such as local mass transport. "We support this calibrated approach rather than a one-time, big-time approach in implementing the program," he added.
Meanwhile, the City Council has chosen to delay the passage of Ordinance 2023-283, which would establish the Paleng-QR Ph Plus program in the city. Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez emphasized the need to explain and promote the program to the public, preferably in the local language.