CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Paying business permits and licenses just got easier for Fernandinos, as the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the City Government of San Fernando introduced on January 8 a new e-payment platform for the convenience, safety and security of stakeholders.
The innovative system allows payers to settle their payments with their credit, debit, and any ATM cards issued by BancNet, the Philippine-based multi-bank and multi-channel electronic payments network.
"This is a similar terminal which we usually see in the department stores, the POS or point of sale. We have partnered with the City Government to launch this program to help reduce the long queues and eliminate hassles that come with paying business permits and licenses over the counter. No one does not [have] to carry that much cash in paying for permits or licenses. It's safer and more secure," said DBP Vice President Ricardo Josef Bandal II.
"The launching of our e-payment facility here in the city signifies our national government's drive to move towards mobile, cashless transaction and electronic banking," he said.
"This will also increase our competitiveness in the Asean and worldwide as well," added Bandal.
He noted that the e-payment terminals will be deployed in two weeks.
He said he is hopeful that tax payments and other accounts can also be covered by the e-payment portal in the near future.
Meanwhile, both City Accountant Ma. Gisel Rivera and City Treasurer Mary Ann Bautista assured stakeholders that the City Government's system is ready for the e-portal.
They said that in terms of documentation, there will be on-the-spot printing of receipts, for example, plus reserved copies for the payer since initially, the POS is located at city hall.
Later on when the e-system is fully implemented, other online processes will follow, they added.
"When these online systems are in place, even the business permit will just be sent to the applicant by courier for a minimum fee. The process then just becomes what we call 'one step' instead of the current three per DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government] procedures. Best is, this way, people will not have to worry about traffic, parking and other inconveniences. And these innovations will definitely happen in the next few months," the officials said. (With JTD)