The City of San Fernando, Pampanga launched Paleng-QR Ph Plus on 27 May 2024 to promote digital payment transactions in public markets, public utility vehicles, and business establishments.
City of San Fernando Mayor Vilma B. Caluag and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Regional Operations Sub-sector Managing Director Rosabel B. Guerrero led the launch at the New Market City Plaza, City of San Fernando.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr., in a recorded message, highlighted the transformative impact of the program. He said, “By using QR Ph codes in daily payment transactions, business owners and their customers can expand their digital financial footprint. This will give them access to a wider range of financial services such as credit, savings, insurance, and investment.”
In her message, Mayor Caluag encouraged Fernandinos to use QR Ph codes for their daily financial transactions. “Para may magamit na tayo kapag sumasakay tayo sa tricycle o kahit bumibili tayo sa palengke, puwede na tayo makapagbayad nang hindi na nangangailangan magdala ng cash.”
BSP Managing Director Guerrero noted that the program’s adoption marks a significant step for the City of San Fernando toward digital advancement and inclusivity. The local government of the City of San Fernando rolled out the program after passing an ordinance in March 2024 that encourages QR Ph digital payments under the Paleng-QR Ph Plus.
She explained that, “Paleng-QR Ph Plus is one of the BSP’s ways to promote financial inclusion and uphold the interest of financial consumers.”
A joint program of the BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Paleng-QR Ph Plus encourages cashless payments using QR Ph, the national standard for quick response or QR codes. It is a priority initiative under the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022-2028.
The local government of the City of San Fernando rolled out the program after passing an ordinance in March 2024 that encourages QR Ph digital payments under the Paleng-QR Ph Plus.
The BSP also joined forces with the member banks of Ciudad San Fernando Bankers Association and e-money issuers to conduct the “Piso Caravan,” which enabled Fernandinos to replace their unfit banknotes and coins with fit currency or electronic money. This is part of BSP’s broader efforts to strengthen the effective implementation of the BSP Clean Note and Coin Policy and maintain the integrity of the Philippine currency.