Zamboanga City – In a landmark move towards digital transformation, the City Government of Zamboanga, led by Mayor John Dalipe, launched the region’s first Paleng-QR Ph Plus Program at the Main Public Market (Magay) on Thursday morning, September 19.
A total of 712 vendors from the main public market, Sta. Cruz Market, and IBT Night Market, including transport operators at the IBT in Divisoria, have onboarded and are now certified users of the PalengQR program. This initiative marks a significant step in modernizing the city’s payment infrastructure.
The program’s initial implementation in public markets is complemented by other city advancements, such as the introduction of Grab services and full compliance with the Ease of Doing Business Law. Mayor Dalipe expressed plans to expand the initiative to hotels, restaurants, and tourism operators, further boosting the city’s digital payment infrastructure.
“Our alternate payment system offers safety, efficiency, and convenience. Through our Paleng-QR program, we shall modernize collection to be safer for all,” Mayor Dalipe stated.
The mayor also encouraged the public to fully embrace the #ScannaAll campaign, aiming to make Zamboanga City more efficient, connected, and a step closer to becoming a prime investment destination. This initiative signifies the city’s commitment to becoming a “Smart Read” city by embracing cashless payments and modernizing its market and transport sectors.
In a further boost to the initiative, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has agreed to install a permanent Wi-Fi network in the Main Public Market, enhancing connectivity for all users.
The PalengQR Ph Plus initiative, developed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), aims to build the digital payments ecosystem in the country by promoting cashless payments in public markets and local transportation, particularly tricycles. The BSP and the DILG partnered to ensure the program’s success and widespread adoption.
This milestone event underscores Zamboanga City’s dedication to innovation and progress, paving the way for a more connected and efficient future.
