ILOCOS SUR, Sept. 19 (PIA) - League of the Municipalities of the Philippines National President and Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis "Chavit" Singson has donated automated payment machines to local government units and various government agencies for the public to tend to their financial responsibilities in a safe and convenient manner.

In partnership with Gracia Telecommunications Corporation, these automated payment machines or Gracia Telecom kiosks aim to provide payment alternatives to Filipinos as they transition to the new normal by doing financial transactions without going to the actual banks or money transfer outlets.

Since the public is still discouraged to make face-to-face transactions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), these machines are beneficial as it allow users to pay bills, send money real-time, and top-up e-wallet and e-load without the hassle of excessive fees and long queues in banks.

Mayor Singson said, "Yong pinamimigay ko libre at tinanggal ko 'yong transaction fee, tinanggal ko 'yong convenience fee para tulong talaga. Dahil ako ang presidente ng Mayor's League, ginawa ko ng program natin 'yan para matulungan ang ating mga kababayan."

"Nandito po kami hindi para mag-negosyo kung hindi para tumulong," he added.

According to Singson, the machine provides debit and multi-purpose cards that can be used to access individual bank accounts for free, locally and internationally.

A vendor in Vigan City who was able to use the machine remarked, "Mabilis. Segundo lang. Malaking bagay na makatulong sa amin lalong-lalo na sa aming mga negosyante na hindi makalabas sa pwesto."

To date, the automated payment machine was already launched by Mayor Singson and Gracia Telecom Chief Executive Officer Charissa Singson in the cities of Candon and Vigan and in the towns of Narvacan, Sta. Cruz, San Juan, Magsingal, Sinait, Cabugao, Lidlidda, Caoayan and Bantay, all in Ilocos Sur.

Also among its recipients include the municipality of Guiguinto in Bulacan, Quezon City, Manila, Mandaluyong City and Pateros while for government agencies, it was turned over to the Department of National Defense and to the Department of Labor and Employment.

Singson is aiming to distribute the automated payment machines all over the country.

Aside from the automated payment machine, Gracia Telecom's services include the Gracia Care Educational Television which offers cable TV using cutting-edge multi-platform infrastructure to reach students in remote areas in support of the Department of Education's blended learning scheme. (JCR/AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur)