Manila, Nov. 4 -- The Quezon City government is linking all 142 barangays to an online payment system to allow business owners to pay clearance fees through digital platforms, cutting red tape and reducing the need for in-person transactions.

In a news release on Tuesday, the city government said the initiative is part of the city's efforts to simplify business transactions and make government services more accessible.

"Our goal is not simply to make Quezon City a place where businesses can thrive, but to build a city where innovation creates opportunities, digitalization makes government work better for everyone, and economic growth translates into a better quality of life for every QCitizen," Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

"We will contin...