As the Philippines marks Fire Prevention Month, the Palawan Group of Companies is encouraging Filipino households to combine fire safety practices with financial protection through its microinsurance offering, ProtekTODO Fire 99.
The product, offered through the group’s microinsurance arm Palawan ProtekTODO, aims to provide low-cost financial support for families affected by fire incidents — a risk that continues to impact thousands of households each year.
For only ₱99, the policy offers up to ₱30,000 in fire cash assistance for residential property damage and up to ₱10,000 in accidental death benefits, positioning it as an accessible safety net for lower- and middle-income families.
The initiative was highlighted during a recent media briefing where company officials and fire safety advocates emphasized the need for both prevention and financial preparedness in communities vulnerable to fire-related disasters.
Fire risks remain a persistent threat
Gladwin Abram So (right), REMT, PhD, sharing fire safety tips
During the event, Gladwin Abram So, REMT, PhD, Fire Marshal of the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Firefighters of the Philippines Inc., shared practical fire safety tips in observance of Fire Prevention Month.
According to So, increasing public awareness is crucial to reducing fire risks. He explained that many common causes of fires — such as faulty electrical connections and unattended appliances — are largely preventable when people are properly informed and consistently practice basic safety measures.
Strengthening fire safety education at home and in communities can significantly lower the number of incidents and help protect more lives, while having reliable fire insurance can provide an additional layer of protection for families when emergencies occur.
So also cited recent figures from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to underscore the urgency of improving fire awareness and preparedness across the country.
“In the National Capital Region alone, authorities recorded 3,565 fire incidents, with the most common causes identified as faulty electrical connections, smoking, and open-flame cooking,” he said.
These everyday household activities can quickly escalate into devastating emergencies when safety precautions are overlooked. According to So, greater awareness — combined with financial protection tools — can help mitigate both the human and economic toll of such incidents.
Combining prevention with financial preparedness
Lisa Castro-Sabado, Chief Business Development Officer of Palawan Group
During the briefing, Lisa Castro-Sabado, Chief Business Development Officer of the Palawan Group of Companies, said the goal of ProtekTODO Fire 99 is to ensure that families are not left alone when disaster strikes.
“A fire can change everything a family has worked for in an instant,” Castro-Sabado said. “It can take their home, their belongings, and the sense of security they have built over the years.”
“With ProtekTODO Fire 99, families can access affordable and reliable support that helps them recover from the immediate aftermath, rebuild their homes, and restore their daily lives,” she added.
The product reflects the company’s broader commitment to financial inclusion, providing protection designed to remain accessible even to families with limited disposable income.
Real stories behind the coverage
A ProtekTODO claimant from Bgy. Addition Hills shares her personal experience
During the event, a ProtekTODO Fire 99 claimant also shared her personal experience after a fire destroyed her family’s home in Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong.
She recounted how the insurance support helped her family begin rebuilding after the incident, highlighting the real-world impact of microinsurance solutions when emergencies occur.
The story also underscored how affordable protection products can provide immediate relief to families facing sudden financial hardship following disasters.
Expanding access to microinsurance
Bernard Kaibigan, Chief Marketing Officer of the Palawan Group
For the Palawan Group of Companies, the launch of ProtekTODO Fire 99 is part of a broader effort to make insurance more accessible and meaningful to everyday Filipinos.
“ProtekTODO Fire 99 is built on the belief that every Filipino family deserves protection and peace of mind,” said Bernard Kaibigan, Chief Marketing Officer of the Palawan Group.
“Our initiative is designed to make insurance simple, accessible, and meaningful, so that when crises strike, families are supported — not alone,” he said.
Kaibigan added that the program aims to empower communities to take proactive steps toward safety, security, and resilience.
Accessible nationwide
ProtekTODO Fire 99 is available through Palawan Pawnshop–Palawan Express Pera Padala branches nationwide, as well as through digital channels including the PalawanPay app, and major e-commerce platforms such as Lazada and Shopee.
By pairing prevention education with affordable microinsurance, Palawan ProtekTODO hopes to help Filipino families strengthen their resilience against one of the most common household disasters in the country.
As Fire Prevention Month continues, the company is urging households to adopt safer practices at home and in their communities — from regularly checking electrical connections to closely monitoring cooking activities — while also considering financial protection options that can help them recover more quickly should a fire occur.
