TABUK CITY, Kalinga – To facilitate faster transactions and promote digital money transfers, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in partnership with the City Local Government Unit of Tabuk (CLGU) and various banks, introduced the Paleng-QR Ph program at the Dagupan Public Market on June 11, 2025.
The Paleng-QR Ph program, developed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the BSP, aims to promote the use of digital payments through QR Ph in public markets and local transport hubs.
To support the initiative, the CLGU will implement policies to encourage the use of QR Ph digital payments among vendors and transport operators.
The local government is also assisting these groups in setting up QR Ph-ready accounts through partner financial service providers (FSPs).
Additionally, the CLGU, in collaboration with the BSP, DILG, and FSPs, will roll out financial literacy programs to educate participants on the effective use of digital payments, sound financial practices, and consumer protection.
Councilor Ivan Yannick Bagayao, the principal author of the ordinance implementing the localized Paleng-QR Ph, explained that the initiative aligns with the city’s vision of becoming a smart city.
He noted that the digital payment system would not only speed up transactions but also ensure that payments go directly to the accounts of vendors, merchants, and drivers.
As an added incentive, registrants under the Paleng-QR Ph program will receive a 5% discount on all fees, licenses, and permits for the first two years, or a 5% discount on their market stall fees for the next year.
City Mayor Darwin Estrañero highlighted that the program represents more than a technological upgrade, that it signifies Tabuk’s commitment to embracing digital innovation for inclusive economic growth.
He emphasized that enabling cashless transactions in markets and public transportation empowers daily wage earners, vendors, and drivers to participate more actively in the formal digital economy.
He also remarked that digital technology has played a key role in Tabuk’s development from a quiet municipality into a more progressive city.
While cash usage remains common in the Philippines, he noted that cities like Tabuk are now stepping forward to lead in digital adoption.
The mayor expressed appreciation to the BSP for selecting Tabuk as a partner city, as well as to the participating banks and telecommunications providers for supporting the initiative.
He affirmed that Tabuk can now be on par with other progressive cities where technology drives economic growth. By Edward Joseph Gacuya
