Lapu adopts digital payment

CEBU, Philippines —  Payments for traffic and environmental fees in Lapu-Lapu City can now be paid through the city’s recently launched digital payment system.

During the recent launch of the digital payment system through Gcash, Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan proudly shared how the city is the first to offer the system and how it will provide further convenience to the city’s residents.

“Ang Lapu-Lapu City ang nag-una sa digital payment system sa tibuok Pilipinas,”said Chan, adding that tourists and visitors can now pay environmental fees for island hopping, scuba diving, and other water sports activity through the new system, and motorists can also settle their traffic violation tickets through GCash.

“To become a smart city, we aim to be fully digitalized, fast, and convenient,” the mayor added.

Martin Kristopher Limgenco II, GCash Commercial Sales Head, and Miguel Polido, VisMin Head of the Public Sector Group, handed over the QR code to the mayor.

“It speaks about efficiency, it speaks about convenience, we are committed to make Lapu-Lapu City an intelligent and empowered digitalized City,” said Polido.

Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy and Councilors Annabeth Cuizon, Efren Herrera, Joseph Pangatungan, and Celestino Aying were with the mayor during the turnover.

Sitoy, in his message of support, mentioned that in 2021, the City Council had already authorized the mayor to formally transact with GCash officials. However, the initiative was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sitoy added that on April 3, 2024, the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between GCash officials and the city was amended. Legislators once again authorized the mayor to sign the amended MOA on behalf of the city.

Cuizon further highlighted that Lapu-Lapu City was the first local government unit in Central Visayas to launch PalengQR in 2023.

 “Digitalization is already here, technology will always advance and move forward,” said Cuizon. (CEBU NEWS)