Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a media interview on September 24, encouraged business owners to keep up with the shift to cashless transactions, noting that such services not only benefit clients but also qualify traders for a tax discount.

Under Ordinance 71-2022, businesses that adopt QR PH as an alternative mode of payment are entitled to a one-time 2.5 percent discount on their business tax during the first year of implementation.

The Paleng-QR program was first introduced in 2022 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic as a measure to reduce direct handling of cash, which was then considered a possible carrier of viruses.

Data from the city’s Permits and Licensing Division (PLD) show that around 28,000 establishments were granted business permits in 2024.

Of the roughly 4,000 enterprises at the city market, majority have already registered in the QR payment system, based on a survey by the City Treasury Office.

In a recent orientation at the market, superintendent Ceasar Emilio said traders were briefed on the Paleng-QR program’s new financial service partner, GoTyme Bank—a digital bank offering full mobile app-based banking services and easy account opening through digital kiosks.

To support the program, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has also provided free Wi-Fi access at the market to facilitate seamless transactions.

Vendors were likewise reminded of their rights and responsibilities under the Consumer Protection Act.