BSP lauds LGU Bislig City for promoting cashless payments
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
 |
QR
codes of e-payment options are made visible to buyers of the Bislig City public
market, which offers convenience to vendors and buyers alike. Among the
advantages of cashless payments are the mitigation of fake bill scams as well
as issues of shortchanging. (Photo courtesy of LGU Bislig City) |
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The local government unit (LGU) of Bislig City in Surigao del Sur, through their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Head Rose Lee Cancio, shared with the members of the Caraga Regional Acceleration for Cashless Ecosystem (RACE) Technical Working Group (TWG) during their 1st quarter meeting for CY 2026, their best practices as they intensified their implementation of the ‘Paleng-QR Ph’ program in their public market and transport sector, particularly tricycle drivers.
The Paleng-QR Ph program is a joint initiative of the BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) designed to promote cashless payments in public markets and local transportation, such as tricycles.
The adoption of cashless payment systems has brought significant benefits, including faster transactions, improved safety by reducing the risk of carrying cash, and greater convenience for both vendors and commuters, as it can also avoid shortchanging and fake bills.
This initiative also promotes financial inclusion by enabling small businesses and transport operators to access digital platforms, while ensuring transparency and accountability in daily transactions.
“It is our vision to make Bislig a smart city in the near future. The creation of the Paleng-QR Ph program is a great help as we gear toward such a goal,” said Cancio.
Bislig City was the second LGU in Caraga to roll out the Paleng-QR Ph in November 2024, highlighting its commitment to and support for the program as it recognized the advantages of cashless payments, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To strengthen its localized implementation, LGU Bislig passed Ordinance No. 2024-19 entitled “An ordinance enjoining all business establishments and local transport sectors to adopt QR Ph digital payment in the City of Bislig relative to the Paleng-QR Ph program and for other purposes.”
The ordinance stipulates the advantages of digital payment to ensure convenience in business and transport-related transactions, and the support of the LGU, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), in providing Wi-Fi access in public markets for vendors and customers.
It also incentivizes establishments supporting the program by giving a 2% business tax discount, while 1% business tax discount plus 1% rental fee discount for public market tenants.
LGU Bislig City also organized a team to strengthen the implementation of the program through regular coordination with the business and transport sectors, alongside routine inspections and evaluations to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
The team also partners with financial service providers (FSPs), such as Gcash, to conduct orientation and other capacity-building initiatives for market vendors, sari-sari store owners, and tricycle drivers, among others, highlighting the advantage and convenience of cashless payments.
For the transport sector, one of Bislig City’s best practices is to tap with their Traffic Management Group (TMG) in monitoring and ensuring that tricycle drivers and operators make use of QR codes as payment options for their passengers and that these are visible at all times.
LGU Bislig City stands as a clear example that with strong leadership and political will, embracing innovation and digitalization is not only achievable but sustainable—proving that progress is possible when governance is anchored on vision, commitment, and readiness to adapt to change. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
