BSP, DILG launch cashless payment system in several markets

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched the cashless payment program “Paleng-QR PH Plus” in several markets.

The program that uses QR codes as mode of payment was first launched in the cities of Baguio and Davao, according to Bernadette Reyes’ “24 Oras” report on Friday.

The project was first implemented in the Pasig City public market in Metro Manila. There are also plans to launch the program in other cities.

Digital payment, for some vendors, will reduce instances of difficulty in searching for loose change or inadvertently being paid with counterfeit bills.

BSP Governor Felipe Medalla underscored that consumers can avail of several advantages by using cashless transactions.

“Mas sanitary. Pangalawa, napakagastos para sa BSP yung gawa ng gawa ng barya. QR, di na kailangan ng sukli,” he said.

Consumers just have to learn the new technology, said Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto.

“Kailangan po masanay tayo sa ganitong makabagong uri ng teknolohiya. Kailangan nag-aadjust po tayo,” he said.

However, some vendors and consumers said that digital payment cannot be used at all times and that some people do not have mobile phones.

“Yung sa internet nagkakaroon ng problema, hindi ka sure kung napasok na payment mo,” consumer Rosalinda Cayetano said.

“Hindi naman lahat may cellphone. Tulad sa akin, wala akong cellphone,” vendor Dominador Versosa said.

Even though “Paleng-QR PH Plus” has yet to be launched in Quezon City, some residents were already using digital payments in some stores, such as Mega Q Mart. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA Integrated News