Iloilo is ushering in a new era of commerce, swapping out worn-out bills and loose change for the convenience of a quick digital scan to pay for goods and services.
On Monday, September 22, 2025, the Province of Iloilo officially launched the “PalengQR PH Plus” program, a landmark initiative set to transform how business is done in its bustling public markets, on public utility vehicles, and within local businesses. The goal is simple yet revolutionary: make digital payments the new normal for every Ilonggo.
The kick-off event, held at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, was a high-profile affair, signaling the province’s strong commitment to digitalization.
Iloilo Vice Governor Nathalie Ann F. Debuque pays a local merchant using QR Ph during the Paleng-QR Ph Plus launch on 22 September 2025 at Iloilo Provincial Capitol. Joining her are Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monetary Board Member Benjamin E. Diokno (right), BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (third from left), together with (from left to right) DILG Provincial Director Carmelo F. Orbista, BSP Assistant Governor Rosabel B. Guerrero, BSP Visayas Regional Office Director Anna Clara M. Oville, BSP Iloilo Branch Acting Area Director Victor Ariel S. Dey, and Iloilo Provincial Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Officer Aulynn B. Yue Sin.
Leading the launch were Iloilo Vice Governor Nathalie Ann F. Debuque, on behalf of Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr., alongside key figures from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Monetary Board Member Benjamin E. Diokno and Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort between local government and the nation’s central bank to drive financial technology into the grassroots economy.
BSP’s push for progress and inclusion
For vendors and consumers alike, the program promises a future of convenience and security. Vice Governor Debuque emphasized the local government’s role in this digital shift. “The Paleng-QR Ph Plus program marks an important step in bringing digital financial services closer to every household and every negosyo in Iloilo,” she stated. “We are ready to craft and adopt ordinances that will encourage the QR Ph adoption… We aim to ensure that no barangay is left behind in the shift to a more cash-lite and financially inclusive Iloilo.”
This vision of a hassle-free future was echoed by BSP Deputy Governor Romulo-Puyat, who painted a vivid picture of the program’s daily impact. “Ngayon, mas gagaan pa ang buhay sa palengke at terminal dahil sa Paleng-QR Ph Plus,” she said. “Life in the market and at the terminal is about to get easier. No need to bring cash. Just scan, pay the exact amount, and go. No more waiting for change, no more hassle.”
She added that the benefits extend beyond mere convenience. “It’s also safer,” she explained. “Payment goes directly to your account. And because you have an account, it’s easier to save. It’s also easier to take out a business loan and have more protection for your family.”
Building a digital economy, one scan pay at a time
To ensure the program’s success, the Iloilo provincial government has issued an executive order encouraging all its municipalities to champion the use of QR Ph. This strong policy support is crucial for building momentum and encouraging widespread adoption among tricycle drivers, market stall owners, and small sari-sari stores.
Iloilo now joins a growing list of 207 local government units across the Philippines that have embraced this digital payment system. The Paleng-QR Ph Plus is a cornerstone of the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022-2028, a joint initiative by the BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The program aims to empower the unbanked and underbanked population by giving them a formal entry point into the financial system, allowing them to build a transaction history that can unlock future opportunities like credit and insurance. With this launch, Iloilo isn’t just adopting a new technology; it’s investing in a more inclusive and economically vibrant future for all its residents.
