Agusan Norte vendors to benefit from safer, faster digital payments through PalengQR Ph Plus
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Safer, faster, and more convenient payment transactions, improved business operations, and greater access to formal financial services await market vendors in Agusan del Norte with the rollout of the PalengQR Ph Plus program.
The initiative will enable vendors to accept QR Ph-enabled digital payments, reducing the risks associated with handling cash while helping them build a digital financial transaction history that can provide opportunities to access savings, credit, and other financial services in the future.
The program supports the digitalization agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which promotes financial inclusion, ease of doing business, and wider adoption of secure digital payment systems to accelerate the country’s transition toward a digitally empowered and inclusive economy. PalengQR Ph Plus is a joint initiative of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante has expressed the provincial government’s full support for the implementation of PalengQR Ph Plus, recognizing the program as an important initiative to empower micro and small entrepreneurs, accelerate digital transformation, and expand financial inclusion across Agusan del Norte. The governor underscored the province’s commitment to working closely with national government agencies and private-sector partners to ensure the successful adoption of digital payment systems among local vendors.
As part of the preparations, vendors at the Cabadbaran City public market participated in orientation sessions on QR Ph-enabled digital payments, financial literacy, cyber hygiene, and on-site transaction account opening to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to adopt digital payment technologies.
Attorney Erwin G. Mora, Community Affairs and Investment Promotion Officer of the city government of Cabadbaran, encouraged vendors to embrace digital payments as a way to modernize their businesses and improve customer service.
“PalengQR Ph Plus is more than just adopting cashless payments. It empowers our vendors by providing safer, faster, and more convenient transactions while connecting them to formal financial services that can help grow their businesses,” Mora said.
During the orientation, Seer A. Manlantao, senior research specialist of the BSP Butuan, highlighted the benefits of QR Ph-enabled payments, explaining that the system simplifies transactions, minimizes the risks of carrying cash, promotes transparency, and enables vendors to establish a digital financial record that may help them access other financial products and services in the future.
The BSP also underscored the importance of financial literacy by encouraging vendors to develop responsible saving, budgeting, and money management practices to strengthen their financial well-being while embracing digital payment technologies.
Complementing the financial literacy session, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Agusan del Norte conducted a cyber hygiene orientation to help vendors protect their digital accounts and personal information as they adopt cashless payment systems.
Jovelyn A. Logarta, information officer and cybersecurity provincial focal of DICT Agusan del Norte, reminded participants to create strong passwords, never share their one-time passwords (OTPs), and remain vigilant against phishing scams, suspicious links, and fraudulent messages that could compromise their digital accounts.
Among those who immediately saw the value of the program was Guilnor C. Castanares, a sari-sari store owner from Purok 6, Barangay Mabini, Cabadbaran City, who registered for PalengQR Ph Plus after attending the orientation.
“This program will greatly help us because receiving payments will be much easier. After learning about the advantages of cashless payments during the orientation, I immediately decided to register my store for PalengQR Ph Plus,” Castanares said.
The provincial government of Agusan del Norte encouraged all vendors at the Cabadbaran City public market to register for PalengQR Ph Plus, emphasizing that registration is free and provides access to safe, secure, and convenient digital payment solutions that can improve business efficiency and expand financial inclusion.
The official launch of PalengQR Ph Plus in Agusan del Norte will be held on July 23 at the Cabadbaran City public market. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)




