Parañaque adopts QR Ph in online payment services

MANILA, Philippines — To promote full cashless payment system in local government transactions, the city government of Parañaque has fully adopted the national quick response (QR) code standard, also known as QR Ph, in its bid to accelerate digitalization.

Parañaque Mayor Eric Olivarez said the country’s QR code standard gives customers of banks and non-bank electronic money issuers, including LGUs, a quick and secure way to pay, transfer and receive funds.

He said the use of QR Ph in its online payment services on business taxes and fees, real property taxes and other miscellaneous fees would fully optimize the benefits in the LGU level and make the payment process easier for the taxpayers.

“The city government of Parañaque fully support government’s innovative toward promoting an inclusive economic growth in the country. QR Ph offers you added security, convenience, and peace of mind.”

He added that through the integration of QR Ph in the city’s online payment services,” we are assured that any payments done with the local government will be secured and seamless for better customer experience.”

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also recognized that QR technology has emerged as one of the most convenient and cost-efficient means of moving funds from one account to another.

QR Ph is the Philippines’ QR code standard based on the Europay-Mastercard-Visa (EMV) standard, a global standard for secure payments.

Melanie Malaya, chief of Paranaque’s business permit and licensing office, also encouraged residents, local and foreign investors to use QR technology as a convenient and safe payment solution, as it aims to turn half of the volume and value of payments into digital form by next year.

She said the city government would continue to work with the national government and private sector in its commitment to align policies and efforts to further promote literacy and access to finance in the local government.

In January 2021, the city government in partnership with Maya as one participating merchant bank in the QR Ph, pioneered the use of a digitally enabled platform where customers can avail of the local government services even without physically going to city hall.