BSP, BACOLOD CITY PROMOTE DIGITALIZATION VIA PALENG-QR PH PLUS

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (Ieft) looks on as Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo B. Benitez scans a quick response (QR) code to buy taho during the launch of the “Paleng-QR Ph Plus” in the city’s Libertad Public Market last 14 March 2023.

The BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government are working with local governments across the country to promote cashless payments in palengkes, public utility vehicles (PUVs), and other business establishments using QR codes. Aside from more convenient payments, the program aims to increase the access of small merchants and PUV drivers to financial services.

To date, Paleng-QR Ph Plus has onboarded over 1,800 market vendors and 1,100 PUV drivers in the City of Smiles. “With this, Bacolod is on track to becoming a digitalized and financially inclusive city,” said Deputy Governor Romulo-Puyat in her message during the program launch.

Mayor Benitez also expressed optimism about the success of the program and urged Bacolodnons to use Paleng-QR Ph Plus “so everyone can experience its benefits.”