The City of Puerto Princesa will soon go cashless in all its transactions, as a way of curtailing the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the City Government.
In a virtual press conference about the Palawan-wide survey result, organized by Palawenyo Savers’ Club (PSC) on Dec. 3, Assistant City Tourism Officer Demetrio “Toto” Alvior Jr. said that the City Government is currently working with a company that introduces JuanCash. This financial mobile application “holds electronic and virtual currencies, and perform financial transactions.”
“Kasi we believe na one of the nagko-cause ng transmission [ng COVID-19] is through money, currency. So, doon pumasok tayo na magkaroon tayo ng cashless transactions like in Manila, may mga cashless transaction na [sila roon],” Alvior said.
He added that, that day, the representative of the said company visited the City Tourism Department and they were able to close the deal with the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO). “So, lahat ng benefits ng PALECO, mga refunds, pwede nang pumasok [sa Juan Cash system, sila] ‘yong magha-handle [nito],” he added.
“Yon po ‘yong direksyon na gusto ng [City] Tourism [Department] para ma-limit din ‘yong transmission ng COVID-19,” he further stated.
Alvior said that last two months ago, members of transportation sector had already underwent a seminar about this system. And after the transport group, the CTD plans to continue the orientation-seminar with the utilities sector, for instance the gasoline stations, those engaged in power supply and distribution, and the water supply.
“So, siguro unti-unti lang talaga. Baka by next year pa talaga [ito] talagang mai-implement. Inuuna lang ‘yong itong mga utilities natin gaya ng PALECO at saka Water District,” he said.
The Assistant City Tourism Officer likewise assures the public that the City Government of Puerto Princesa did not invest funds for this endeavor.
“Hindi lang po ito sa Puerto Princesa. Itong company na ito ay successfully naila-launch na rin nila ito sa iba’t ibang lugar, primarily doon sa mga utilities company,” he added.
NOT OK YET ON DEC. 8
On the Feast Day of the City of Puerto Princesa this coming Dec. 8, Alvior said that this program is unlikely to push through due to some important factors, for instance the readiness of the members of the transport sector and the number of the business sector that are willing to join in the roster for easy flow of the implementation of cashless transactions.
“Hindi pa rin ho kakayanin siguro, kasi kailangan muna marami [ang makilahok]. Kung gagamitin [naman] sa transportation, no’ng during nga sa briefing, ‘yong mga tricycle drivers natin, ‘yong mga ginagamit na cellphones, talagang hindi pa smartphone. So, ‘yon ang magiging dilemma nito kung ipai-implement talaga [agad] sa lahat-lahat; baka hindi ho kakayanin,” he explained.
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