In a strategic move to broaden its digital footprint and enhance customer convenience, the Palawan Group of Companies has recently announced a partnership with eTap, a leading provider of self-service payment machines and kiosks.
In a press release, the company stated that this collaboration will enable users of PalawanPay, the digital wallet of Palawan Group, to cash in their accounts at any of eTap’s more than 2,777 kiosks throughout the country.
Photo shows Lisa Lou Castro-Sabado (3rd from left) Chief Business Development Officer of Palawan Group, while signing the agreement with Percy Hernandez (center) CEO of eTap and Marlon Portugal (5th from left), president of eTap. With them were (from left:) Missy Baldemor, Head of B2B Group of Palawan Group; JC Medina, Head of Innovation, also of Palawan Group; Jana Cruzado, COO of eTap; and Juan Miguel Hernandez, Chief Strategy Officer of eTap.
The partnership agreement was officially signed by key representatives from both companies.
From the Palawan Group, the signatories included Lisa Lou Castro-Sabado, Chief Business Development Officer; Missy Baldemor, Head of B2B Group; and JC Medina, Head of Innovation. Representing eTap were Percy Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer; Marlon Portugal, President; Juan Miguel Hernandez, Chief Strategy Officer; Ernie Eusebio, Business Development Senior Manager; and Jana Cruzado, COO.
Palawan Group: Upgrading lives, helping Filipinos transition to digital wallets
Speaking on the occasion, Castro-Sabado emphasized the significance of the partnership in achieving the company’s mission. “We are true to our vision and mission to help upgrade the lives of our countrymen. This partnership comes at a very opportune time since most Filipinos have transitioned to using digital wallets as their mode of payment. With this, we would like to thank you, Sir Percy and the eTap team. We look forward to more collaborations with you,” she said.
Percy Hernandez, CEO of eTap, further echoed her sentiments by highlighting the synergy between the two companies, saying, “It is an honor for us to partner with the Palawan Group. We’ve been talking to others about other concepts, but Palawan has shown so much interest and that is why we are here. I look forward to our continued collaboration in the coming years, as we work together to enhance both of our services and achieve mutual growth.”
Representatives from both Palawan Group and eTap doing the “hand-over-shoulder” gesture
This partnership is a significant step for the Palawan Group, which has been actively expanding its reach and services. Known for its commitment to providing “mura, mabilis, at walang kuskos balungos” service, the Palawan Group continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of Filipinos. By leveraging eTap’s extensive network of kiosks, PalawanPay users can now enjoy greater accessibility and convenience, enhancing their experience with the digital wallet.
The collaboration aligns with the Palawan Group’s broader strategy of forging partnerships that bring them closer to the masses. By integrating eTap’s kiosks, the group ensures that more Filipinos, regardless of their location, can access its services easily. This initiative not only boosts awareness about the PalawanPay app and its features but also enables more users to send and receive money conveniently across the country.
About Palawan Group of Companies
The Palawan Group of Companies has been a trusted name in the Philippines for 38 years, offering a wide range of financial services. These include Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, Palawan ProtekTODO, Palawan Credit, and the PalawanPay digital wallet.
The company is a market leader in remittance and pawning services, boasting over 60,000 branches, Pera Padala outlets, and PalawanPay Money Shops nationwide.
A key factor in Palawan Group’s success is its unwavering dedication to financial inclusion in the Philippines, a commitment that has since earned the company the “Financial Inclusion Award” and the “Finance Company Inclusion of the Year Award” at the just-concluded Asian Banking and Finance (ABF) Fintech and Retail Banking Awards.
In addition to traditional pawnbroking and remittance services, the Palawan Group offers microinsurance, bill payment, electronic mobile phone loading, cash-in for e-wallets, money exchange, ATM withdrawal, and cash disbursements.
The PalawanPay app, the latest addition to the company’s portfolio, allows users to send and receive remittances, pay bills, top-up e-cellphone loads, and use scan-to-pay QRPH codes. The app also features functionality for pawn renewal and claiming of international remittances.
The Palawan Group’s operations, including Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, and PalawanPay, are supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
For more information, visit the Palawan Pawnshop and PalawanPay websites.