Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (left) personally tests the newly-installed Cliqbux payment system that will accept electronic payment | Photo via Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC
NEW YORK — After years of doing business on a cash basis only for services rendered, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, has embraced the digital age and will implement a “seamless and convenient experience” for its customers.
Starting May 3, 2024, individuals seeking services from its Consulate Section and consular outreach missions within its jurisdiction in the United States can now pay electronically using credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
“We are thrilled to introduce this new e-payment system, which aligns with our commitment to enhance the overall experience for our constituents,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez in a media release. “By modernizing our payment infrastructure, we aim to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and provide greater convenience to the public.”
The embassy has partnered with Cliqbux LLC, an IT company with offices in San Francisco, California, to implement the e-payment system. According to the embassy, the company was founded by tech visionary Filipino-American Levi Bondoc. Cliqbux LLC specializes in “developing cutting solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses and institutions.”
Although the e-payment method allows convenience, the embassy said its consular section will continue to accept cash and money orders for those who prefer traditional modes of payment.
All electronic payments will be charged a 4% convenience fee to cover processing costs.
Besides the Point-of-Sale (POS) system, Cliqbux LLC has a self-serve kiosk that allows customers to place their orders independently. This kiosk is similar to those operated by other companies and seen in several fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s. Cliqbux LLC’s clientele includes several Filipino restaurants in the Bay Area and elsewhere in the US.
The Cliqbux system is also used at the Philippine Consulates General in San Francisco and Los Angeles, further extending the reach of modernized payment solutions to Filipino communities across the United States.
The Philippine Consulate in New York, which implemented its e-payment system in August 2023, uses a system developed by NMD Group Corporation, which is based in San Ramon, California, and has an office in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, in the Philippines.
