MANILA, Philippines โ The number of local government units (LGUs) that have adopted the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinasโ (BSP) QR codeโbased digital payment program for public markets more than doubled in 2025, the central bank said.
BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said 922 LGUs rolled out Paleng-QR Ph Plus last year, up from 408 in 2024.
โFrom 408 local government units in 2024, we now have more than 900 LGUs that have adopted the program, covering markets, mall stores, and transport hubs nationwide,โ Romulo-Puyat said during a briefing in Dumaguete City.
The BSP is targeting 1,700 LGUs to be covered by 2026, excluding barangays, she added.
Romulo-Puyat said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has been tapped to help expand the program, particularly in areas without reliable internet access.
She said DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda committed to provide connectivity, including Starlink services, to public markets that remain offline.
The BSP, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, launched Paleng-QR Ph in June 2022 as part of the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion. The program was expanded in November 2022 with the introduction of Paleng-QR Ph Plus, which now includes small retailers as well as tricycle operators and drivers.
The central bank said the initiative aims to promote the widespread acceptance of digital payments across all cities and municipalities. (Photo: Facebook/ Atong Ipil Atong Garbo)
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