Techie taho vendor: “QR lang po sa umaga”

Baguio City is the first local government unit to adopt the program co-developed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which is the Paleng-QR program.

According to the BSP, Baguio City through the efforts of its officialdom headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong is keen on implementing the Paleng-QR Ph endeavor which is aligned with its e-governance and digitalization thrust.

The Paleng-QR Ph program was developed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of the Interior and Local Government and aimed to build the country’s digital payments ecosystem by promoting cashless payments such as in public markets and local transportation, particularly in tricycles. It allows the city and the people to remain internationally competitive and not fall behind in digital transformation, embracing information and communication technology improvements.

Digital transformation will make all information, services, and other transactions available on various digital platforms. One of the most popular and largest mobile wallets that have significantly impacted our country’s continuous digitization is Gcash.

The cashless payment system has been embraced even by taho vendors. Jovanie Navarro is one of the taho vendors who uses GCash as a payment method for his delicious strawberry taho.  He plies his trade at Mines View Park.

“Gawa kasi ng pandemic kaya naisipan namin gumamit ng Gcash, dahil sa no contact policy noon,” Navarro said.

By using digital payment, Mr. Navarro thinks that using GCash is the safest and fastest transaction method during this pandemic. He believes it is convenient for himself and other customers to pay using GCash whenever they have no spare change. – Eunice Tomacder (PIO Intern)