The Philippine Air Force (PAF) in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) formally launched the PAF Online Payment System (POPs) Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Aristides Galang said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and LBP President and Chief Executive Officer Cecilia Borromeo graced the launch at the Department of National Defense (DND) Social Hall in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“The POPs is part of the five-point digital agenda of PAF chief Lt. Gen. Allen T. Paredes and his thrust to nurture a culture of innovation and excellence,” Galang said.

He added that this initiative followed the first-ever digital Integrated Financial Management System for more efficient and transparent handling of appropriated funds.

Through POPs, the PAF will now enjoy fast and efficient alternative payment services that promote contactless and online transactions anytime and anywhere.

Galang added that POPs is in compliance with Republic Act 8792 known as the “Electronic Commerce Act of 2000”.

It also ushers the PAF into the digital financial age and makes it the 767th member of LBP that uses its digital platform and the first among the major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

PAF personnel and its stakeholders are now empowered through the LBP iAccess or LinkBiz Portal in the collection, payment, and processing of utilities and other services to include electric billing of concessionaires and government quarters’ occupants, hospital billings, and PAF bidding documents.

“The implementation of the POPS is very timely as we continue to live in the “new normal” wherein exposure to people and places are restricted to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic”, he said. (PNA)