By DANNY O SAGUN
PIA Pangasinan Infocenter

TIME will come when business transactions in Dagupan City will need no more cash, it was gathered Thursday.
The Metro Dagupan Bankers Association, noting the dangers of carrying huge cash around, is urging business establishments in the city to adopt cash-less transactions by accepting credit or debit cards.
Purchases can also be done thru the Internet.
MDBA president Norman Velasco of the RCBC Dagupan branch told the Patrima Kapihan at the Philippine Information Agency office that cash-less transactions have long been going on in developed countries.

“Sa U.S. magugulat sila pag dala-dala mo ang malaking cash,” he noted as he pointed out that carrying so much cash only invites robbers.
He said that it is advisable to limit cash transactions either by withdrawing from the bank or by paying purchased items that would require so much cash.
Cash withdrawals via ATM machines are limited to about a maximum of P10,000. Withdrawals thru the bank cashiers are unlimited.
If plans push thru, Dagupan will be the first local government unit to adopt to the so-called cash-less society where transactions are done via credit or debit cards, by checks or thru the Internet.
Meanwhile, the presence of law enforcers in the business sections of the city has prevented bank robberies or hold ups for the past two years, Velasco noted.
The police implemented the buddy-buddy system (where two policemen are assigned in a certain block) to discourage robbers or holdup men who usually prey on persons who just withdrew big cash from the banks.
He said that the bankers’ association in return provides some assistance to the city police in the form of gas allowance and snacks.
The last big robbery attempt took place in 2004 when armed men tried to rob the RCBC branch along Perez Blvd. They were foiled in their attempt however by alert security guards. (