ILOILO — This province has taken a bold step toward a fully digital economy by mandating the use of QR Ph cashless payments across all 42 municipalities and the component city of Passi, in a move that could transform how residents buy goods and pay fares in markets, sari-sari stores, and local transport.
The directive, contained in Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s Executive Order No. 83, Series of 2025, requires public markets and transport groups to integrate with the Paleng-QR Ph Plus Program — a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“Digitalization is essential in strengthening competitiveness and preparing our people for the opportunities of the modern economy,” stressed Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dennis Ventilacion during the program’s launch on Sept. 22.
He added that the shift is part of MoRProGRes Iloilo, the province’s development blueprint that positions technology as a driver of inclusive growth.
Unlike other localities where adoption has been voluntary, Iloilo is pushing for province-wide compliance. Officials say this will not only streamline business transactions but also minimize risks tied to cash handling and improve transparency in local economic activity.
BSP Monetary Board Member Benjamin Diokno, Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque were among the officials present at the ceremony, underscoring strong institutional backing for the initiative.
The provincial government expects the rollout to expand access to financial services for rural communities long underserved by traditional banking systems. By embedding digital payments in daily life — from jeepney rides to market day purchases — Iloilo hopes to boost efficiency, create safer financial practices, and strengthen livelihoods.
With this mandate, Iloilo positions itself as a trailblazer in digital financial inclusion, setting a precedent for other provinces to follow as the Philippines accelerates its shift toward a cash-lite economy./PN
