Victorias City becomes the first component city in Negros Occidental and second local government unit in Western Visayas to launch the Paleng-QR Ph Plus Program, a digital payments ecosystem for public markets and local transportation hubs, on July 11.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez led the ceremonial launching of the program at the Victorias Commercial Center together with BSP Deputy Governor from the Regional Operations and Advocacy Center Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DILG VI Regional Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, and Third District Representative Hon. Jose Francisco Benitez.
“Digitalization is everyone,” Benitez said in his message, as he stressed the vital role of digital literacy and connectivity for the successful implementation of Paleng-QR.
He also enumerated various projects of the LGU to amplify its digitalization efforts under the Sidlak City Digital Network Assets or DNA.
According to BSP Deputy Governor Puyat, Paleng-QR shall bring about several benefits such as hygienic or sanitary cashless payments, convenience, security, economic resilience, and inclusion, among others.
She also commended the LGU’s Sangguniang Panlungsod for passing the city ordinance for the program in a record time.
Financial service providers from GCash, PayMaya, StarPay, Land Bank, BPI, and BSP also joined the ceremonial launching.
Through the Paleng-QR, VCC market tenants and local tricycle drivers can now opt for cashless transactions with just a scan of the official QR code.
There are ongoing financial literacy seminars for the market tenants and TODA drivers which are conducted by the city’s financial service providers.
With the launching of the Paleng-QR Ph Plus program, Victorias City continues to be on the frontline of providing dynamic and innovative development projects, a press statement from its City Public Information Office said.
BSP Monetary Board Member Dr. V. Bruce Tolentino who delivered the message of BSP Governor and Chairman of the Monetary Board Dr. Eli Remolona Jr. was also present along with BSP Managing Director Rosabel Guerrero of the Regional Operations Sub-Sector, Area Director Maria Jocelyn Ladero of the Regional Operations Sub-Sector BSP Bacolod Branch, OIC Provincial Director of DTI Negros Occidental Lynna Joy Cardinal, and Regional Head Philippine Information Agency PIA6 Cheryl Amor, DICT Region VI Regional Director Ralph Joseph Moncatar.
Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III opened the program and also joined the launching together with the city councilors.*
