CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan (PIA)— Public markets in 20 towns and four cities across Bulacan will soon benefit from faster and more reliable internet with the launching of the Market Next Project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Department of Information and Technology (DICT).
DTI Central Luzon Regional Director Edna Dizon said the project is the first of its kind in the region, which will complement existing projects such as the DTI’s Market Modernization program and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Paleng-QR Ph.
“While many consumers now prefer digital payment methods, limited internet access remains a challenge in most public markets. This project addresses this by ensuring a stable connection to support digital transactions,” she said.
Since 2022, the BSP has been accelerating its campaign to encourage more public markets to be on board with Paleng QR to promote digital payments.
The system has already been rolled out in the public markets of Pulilan, Angat, Bustos, Plaridel, San Rafael, Santa Maria, San Ildefonso, and in the city of Baliwag.
Jointly developed by BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Paleng-QR Ph seeks to create an inclusive digital payments ecosystem that promote financial literacy and digital inclusion even at the grassroots level.
For her part, DTI-Bulacan Officer-in-Charge Cristina Valenzuela said that the market modernization program has installed smart televisions in selected markets to serve as digital price boards.
These help consumers to check the latest suggested retail prices (SRPs) so they can make informed purchases and protect them from overpricing.
Relative to this, DICT signed a memorandum of understanding with DTI, the Bulacan Consumer Affairs Council (BCAC), and the Bulacan Market Administrators League Inc. (BUMALI), to install high-speed fast internet connection in all public markets across the province.
In addition, BCAC has formally included the proper implementation of Paleng-QR Ph and the Market Modernization Program on the list of criteria for the upcoming Huwarang Palengke 2025. (MJSC/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
