ILOILO Province rolled out the “Paleng-QR Ph Plus” on Monday, September 22, 2025, to foster the wider use of digital payments in the province’s public markets, public utility vehicles, and other business establishments.
Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann F. Debuque, representing Gov. Arthur R. Defensor, Jr., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monetary Board Member Benjamin E. Diokno, and BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat led the launch of the program at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
“The Paleng-QR Ph Plus program marks an important step in bringing digital financial services closer to every household and every negosyo in Iloilo. We recognize how crucial local legislation and policy support are in sustaining this transformation. And for that, we are ready to craft and adopt ordinances that will encourage the QR Ph adoption in the Province of Iloilo to protect the interests of both small entrepreneurs and consumers. Together with our provincial government and city and municipal councils, we aim to ensure that no barangay is left behind in the shift to a more cash-lite and financially inclusive Iloilo,” Debuque said.
For her part, Romulo-Puyat said, “Ngayon, mas gagaan pa ang buhay sa palengke at terminal dahil sa Paleng-QR Ph Plus. Hindi na kailangan magdala ng cash. Scan lang, pay the exact amount, and go. Wala nang sukli-sukli, wala nang abala. Mas ligtas din. Diretso ang bayad sa inyong account. At dahil may account na kayo, mas madali nang mag-ipon. Mas madali ring umutang para sa negosyo. Mas may proteksyon para sa pamilya.”
To further strengthen the implementation of Paleng-QR Ph Plus, the provincial government issued an executive order enjoining all municipalities in Iloilo to promote the use of QR Ph.
As of September 19, the program has been adopted in 207 local government units across the country.
Paleng-QR Ph Plus is a joint initiative of the BSP and Department of Interior and Local Government, and a priority program under the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022-2028.
For more details on the Paleng-QR Ph Plus program and other Philippine financial inclusion updates and initiatives, visit https://bit.ly/PalengQRph and www.financialinclusion.gov.ph./PN
