Digital asset platform Coins.ph urged local government leaders to modernize their payment and collection systems during the 2026 Philippine Councilors League (PCL) National Congress and 1st Quarterly Continuing Local Legislative Education Program, highlighting the growing shift toward digital payments in the country.
Speaking before thousands of local legislators, Coins.ph chief executive officer Wei Zhou said many local government units (LGUs) continue to rely on slow, manual processes that waste time and resources for both citizens and government personnel.
Zhou described these inefficiencies as an “invisible tax” on communities, noting that outdated systems require manual reconciliation, lead to delayed financial reporting, and expose governments to the risks of handling physical cash.
“Even a 1% inefficiency in a ₱500 million revenue base equals ₱5 million,” Zhou stated. “We must ask ourselves: How many scholarships is that? How many classrooms could that build? How many families could be supported? Small percentages become real consequences.”
He cited data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showing that digital payments accounted for 57.4% of retail payment volume in the Philippines in 2024, reflecting a major shift in consumer behavior.
Zhou also pointed to the rapid expansion of interoperable payment systems, noting that monthly QR Ph transactions processed by Coins.ph grew from ₱559 million to ₱29.95 billion within 12 months in 2025.
The surge, he said, indicates that many Filipinos already have access to digital payment tools and expect government services to offer the same level of convenience as private-sector platforms.
According to Zhou, digital payment systems could help LGUs improve several areas of governance, including revenue collection for permits and property taxes, distribution of social assistance, and operational continuity during disasters such as typhoons or flooding.
He said replacing manual processes that take up to 45 minutes with digital transactions that can be completed in seconds can also improve government efficiency and strengthen public trust.
Coins.ph said its platform currently has 18 million registered users, processes around 140 million transactions monthly, and operates with 99.9% uptime while supporting integrations with more than 120 banks and e-wallets.
“Modernization will happen; the question is timing,” Zhou concluded. “Design decisions are leadership decisions. I invite our local leaders to lead this change and make public services more efficient, resilient, and inclusive for every Filipino.”
