MANOLO FORTICH: 1st MUNICIPALITY TO LAUNCH PALENGQR PH PLUS IN MINDANAO

QR Code Payments in the Municipality

To strengthen the country's digital payment system, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have partnered to implement the PalengQR Ph program, which promotes cashless transactions in public markets and local transportation, particularly among the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA).

The official launch of the PalengQR Ph Plus in the municipality of Manolo Fortich successfully concluded. In collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and partner financial service providers, the Local Government Unit (LGU) held the second and final day of the launch on February 7, 2025, at the Damilag Public Market.

According to BSP Director Oligario Magahin Jr. from Cagayan de Oro City, Manolo Fortich is the first municipality in Mindanao to launch the program and the first in the entire Philippines to do so in 2025. “Kani nga programa, gina-[introduce] ni namo sa mga LGU kay kalihukan man gyud ni sa LGU. Ang LGU gyuy mag-decide ani nga e-adopt nila. So didto ta sa atong mga leader nga aktibo, nakasabot sa atong programa, ug nakasabot sa unsay kinahanglan sa atong katawhan,” Magahin stated.

In partnership with financial service providers such as GCash, Maya, Landbank, Banko—a subsidiary of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)—Palawan Pay, and 1st Valley Bank, the PalengQR Ph program aims to encourage market vendors, sari-sari store owners, TODA and habal-habal drivers, and consumers to adopt cashless transactions. The use of QR codes minimizes the risk of receiving counterfeit money and helps prevent the transmission of communicable diseases.

Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño expressed his full support for the program, emphasizing its benefits in making public transactions more convenient. “Salamat kaayo, Director [Magahin], ug salamat sa mga taga-banko, kaning mga financial service providers, salamat kaayo sa pagtabang ninyo sa mga katawhan sa lungsod sa Manolo Fortich. Kini dako kayog tabang sa ato, kay less hassle na sa pag-bayad, pagsukli, ug uban pa, so ato ning suportaan ang PalengQR Ph [Plus],” said Mayor Quiño. Also in attendance was Atty. Mara Genina Unabia from the Provincial Governor‘s Office who delivered a message of support on behalf of Governor Rogelio “Oneil” Roque.

Joan Limosnero, a market vendor from Barangay Damilag, has been accepting digital payments for quite some time. “Ako, isip usa ka mamaligyaay, four years nako diri sa merkado, gina-embrace gyud ni nako siyang digital payment tungod kay daghan kayo nga lumalabay nga customers nga walay cash dala. Makatabang siya sa mga lumalabay ba nga sample ‘Ma’am, wala raba mi naka-withdraw sa ATM kay offline, pwede bami mubayad sa GCash?’ Pwede ra kayo kay naa namay akoa,” Limosnero shared.

In today's digital age, cashless payments are becoming more prevalent, even in remote areas. Under the leadership of Mayor Rogelio Quiño, along with Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas Jr. and the Sangguniang Bayan members—Coun. Christy “Tata” Leparto, Coun. Rina E. Quiño, Coun. Joy L. Cordovez, Coun. Raquel Abales, Coun. Elzevir Dagunlay, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Princess CJ B. Padin, Barangay Mantibugao Chairman Imebel Garcia, and the Barangay Council of Damilag led by Chairman Allan Cahoy—the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich continues to seek ways to improve the lives of its residents and actively supports programs that foster development and progress.