Lapid pushes for digital payment system in gov’t offices
Sen. Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid attends a virtual hearing of the Finance Subcommittee A in this file photo. Office of Sen. Lito Lapid / Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid is seeking to mandate government offices to adopt digital transaction systems to allow them to pay and receive digital currency.
Under Lapid’s “Pinuno Bill,” all government agencies shall utilize “safe, and efficient digital disbursement.”
The measure states that digital transactions can be used for payment of goods, services, and other disbursements including but not limited to cash assistance and payments of salaries, wages, allowances, and honoraria of its employees.
Further, the bill also states that government entities “shall be allowed to disburse funds directly into the recipient’s or beneficiary’s transaction account held in government or private financial institutions without the need for a special arrangement with each of these financial institutions.”
“Patuloy po ang paglaki ng tiwala ng marami nating kababayan sa tinatawag na digital payments gaya po ng credit cards at e-wallet. Sa katunayan po, may mga LGU po tayo na nakapagbibigay ng ayuda gamit ang e-wallet,” Lapid said in a statement.
(The confidence of people in using digital payments like credit cards and e-wallets continue to grow. In fact, there are LGUs who are able to give donations using e-wallets.)
“Bagama’t pangunahin pa rin ang pag-gamit ng salapi, marapat na po natin tanggapin na magiging permanenteng bahagi po ng ating komersyo ang digital payments,” he added.
(Even though using cash is our foremost mode of payment, we must accept that digital payments will be a permanent part of our commerce.)
The measure covers all government agencies, including but not limited to national government agencies, foreign-based government agencies, all government corporations, local government units, state universities and colleges, and local universities and colleges.
The bill further states that government entities shall be accountable for ensuring the accuracy of the necessary details and identity of the recipient or beneficiary.
Accountable officers of the government entities shall observe due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the recipient’s or beneficiary’s identity and that uses of government funds through direct crediting shall remain transparent to state auditors, the bill notes.
“Dapat lang na bigyang prayoridad ng ibat-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno ang digital payments para himukin ang ating mga kababayan natin na gamitin ito para sa mas ligtas na mga transaksyon at para gawing mas madali na rin ang proseso para sa kanila,” Lapid said.
(Government agencies shall prioritize digital payments to encourage people to use it for safer transactions and to make the process easier for them. )
“Dahil dyan, isinusulong ko rin na bigyan ng insentibo ang mga magbibigay ng maayos at mabilis na digital payment system,” he added.
(That’s why I am also pushing to give incentives to those who will properly implement digital payment systems.)
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is mandated to ensure the implementation and objectives of the bill by preparing and regularly updating a multi-year roadmap.
The violators of the bill, once it becomes law, shall pay a fine of not less than ₱200,000 or more than ₱2 million.
They may also face imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than 10 years, or both fine and imprisonment under the discretion of the court.— Iliana Padigos, INQUIRER.net intern
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