CANDELARIA, Zambales — The Candelaria local government unit officially launched the Paleng-QR Ph Plus Program at the Candelaria Public Market on September 17, making it the sixth municipality in Zambales to use QR-based digital payments for market vendors and consumers.

Mayor Byron Jones E. Edquilang led the launch with Dir. Melissa D. Nipal, Provincial Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government; Dir. Enrique D. Tacbad, Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and partner financial and payment service providers, including Maya, GCash, and Producers Bank.

The Paleng-QR Plus Program facilitates cashless transactions between sellers and consumers in public markets, local shops, and public transport such as tricycles. It also contributes to the broader effort to promote digital financial services at the local level.

Mayor Edquilang said the launch marked a huge step toward promoting convenient, safe, and accessible digital payment services in the municipality.

A joint initiative of the BSP and the DILG, Paleng-QR has expanded rapidly across cities and municipalities, with over 922 LGUs now participating in the program.

PROJECT METRO

Meanwhile, the municipal government of San Marcelino, the first LGU in Zambales to adopt the Paleng-QR Ph Plus, has upgraded to Project METRO, or the Project Monitoring, Enforcement and Tracking Resource Online.

Project METRO is a digital compliance system developed by DTI Zambales and Gordon College to improve market monitoring, promote fair trade practices, and enhance public service delivery through a more modern, transparent process.

Mayor Elvis Ragadio Soria, together with Sangguniang Bayan Members Louella Aquino, chairperson of the Committee on Trade and Industry, and Jay Peralta, chairperson of the Committee on Market, launched the program with DTI Zambales Provincial Director Enrique Tacbad.

DILG Zambales Provincial Director Melissa Nipal also attended the launch and commended the San Marcelino LGU for its continued support and implementation of national government programs.

The Gordon College–College of Computer Studies developed Project METRO to help market vendors and businesses manage the use and registration of their weighing scales and provide a price list board to guide both consumers and vendors. It was first launched in the capital town of Iba last June.

Mayor Soria said Project METRO will help market vendors and consumers in ensuring orderly and fair trade in the public market. – Taktikom News & Features

COVER PHOTO: READY TO GO: A tricycle driver in Candelaria shows his Paleng-QR code (Candelaria LGU)