The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has installed 100 additional free public Wi-Fi sites across Cagayan Valley to support cashless payments and broaden Internet access in the region.
The expansion was announced during the July 15 launch of the Paleng-QR Ph Plus program at the Mall of the Valley in Tuguegarao City. One of the new Wi-Fi sites was installed at the market to provide vendors and customers with internet access for QR-based transactions.
Paleng-QR Ph Plus, a program of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), promotes the use of QR Ph payments among public market vendors and local transport operators.
The Tuguegarao rollout also involved the city government, Department of Trade and Industry, and DICT.
DICT secretary Henry Aguda said the agency plans to extend connectivity to all 35 tricycle operators and drivers’ association terminals in the city by October.
“Patuloy nating pinalalawak ang Free Public Wi-Fi Program ng DICT. Nagdagdag tayo ng 100 Free Wi-Fi sites sa buong Region II, pati na dito sa palengke. By October target na rin natin lagyan ang lahat ng 35 na TODA terminals dito para mas mapalawak ang digital payments through Paleng-QR Ph Plus. Bahagi nito ang pagtiyak ng DICT na may koneksyon ang mga lugar kung saan ito pinaka-kailangan,” Aguda said.
Officials tested the system during the launch by conducting QR payments over the DICT network. The agency said reliable connectivity could reduce failed transactions and waiting times for vendors and customers.
Apart from supporting digital payments, the free Wi-Fi sites can be used to access online government services, financial platforms, learning materials, and livelihood resources.
