The LANDBANK Link BizPortal is now accepting payments and donations for the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The portal offers an e-payment service that allows DSWD clients and partners to transact business and pay their monetary obligations online. The online payment facility is available on the Landbank or DSWD official websites and through its new portal.
Prospective clients and partners can use the e-payment link to make monetary donations and payments for several cases. For example, to pay the licencing, registration, and accreditation of Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs). They can also pay for the Social Welfare and Development Centre for Asia and Pacific dormitory and training fees, and payment of fees for minors’ travel clearance and others.
The government charges minimal transaction fees ranging from PHP15 to PHP30 per transaction to the clients. The price applicable for payment options from Landbank ATM/Visa Debit Cards, BancNet-Member Bank ATM/Debit Cards, Globe G-Cash accounts, other e-money issuers, and Cash Payment via Over the Counter (OTC). The fee applies to e-money providers such as Maya, Shopee Pay, and Grab Pay. While 7-Eleven, Cebuana, Palawan, Bayad Centre, Western Union, SM, Robinsons, ECPay, Bayad Express, BDO, and others are also affected by OTC charge fees.
As an alternative collection system, the online payment system is currently available at field offices (FOs) in the National Capital Region, Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen.
The remaining DSWD FOs were already enrolled and awaiting approval from the Landbank head office. The DSWD will pursue additional collaborations that prioritise digital transformation toward an inclusive financial system for its clients and beneficiaries.
The e-payment was under Executive Order No. 170 on adopting digital payments for government disbursements and collections, as DSWD Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo stated. In addition, the online service also conforms to Republic Act 11032, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Service Delivery Act of 2018, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority Memorandum Circular No. 2020-06.
The Philippines is continuing to improve its financial sector’s digital transformation. OpenGov Asia reported that the Philippine House of Representatives has approved the final reading of the proposed Internet Transactions Act, which aims to establish an electronic commerce (e-commerce) bureau. The bill seeks to regulate all business-to-business and business-to-consumer commercial internet transactions, including internet retail, online travel services, digital media providers, ride-hailing services, and digital financial services.
The Internet Transactions Act applies to all domestic and foreign entities deemed to be doing business in the Philippines and thus subject to applicable Philippine laws. The bill directs its activities to the Philippine market on purpose and voluntarily. The proposed legislation also ensures parity and respects competition between online merchants and physical store sellers of goods and services.
The Act will serve as a base for small and medium-sized businesses in the digital market. As a result, the government expects that SME businesses will be able to scale up, expand markets, create a verifiable track record of performance and trustworthiness, and establish their reputation.
Meanwhile, the role of the e-commerce bureau is to protect consumers and merchants who conduct internet transactions. The bureau will also serve as the “central authority” enforcing online trade and function as a virtual one-stop shop for consumer complaints about internet transactions. In addition, the e-commerce bureau will lead the development of online dispute resolution platforms that will serve as a single point of contact for consumers and online merchants seeking out-of-court dispute resolution.
The bureau has also been tasked with developing, managing, and maintaining an online business registry, allowing consumers to access data and information from registered online business entities to verify the validity, existence, and other relevant data on business organisations.
