PayMaya's largest footprint, over 200K touchpoints enables cashless for all Filipinos

[21 JANUARY 2021] Digital financial services leader <a href="https://www.bestcebublogsawards.com/search/label/PayMaya" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PayMaya </a>is leading the charge toward financial inclusion as it expands its footprint to reach over 200,000 touchpoints nationwide, the largest network in the country to date. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KNOSfsZhX4/YA_fRD6dfkI/AAAAAAAAWsI/csgZlXOSGboymLvzLMgxjGTV0dIm2w-UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1968/PayMaya%2BTouchpoints.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1968" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KNOSfsZhX4/YA_fRD6dfkI/AAAAAAAAWsI/csgZlXOSGboymLvzLMgxjGTV0dIm2w-UQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/PayMaya%2BTouchpoints.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div> Filipinos can easily pay, add money, cash out, or remit using their PayMaya accounts through these accessible touchpoints that include convenience stores, retail merchants, groceries, department stores, food outlets, pawnshops, and Smart Padala centers, among others. </div><div><br /></div><div> “As PayMaya continues to lead the push towards cashless for all Filipinos, it is important for us to provide them with the most expansive and reliable on-ground channels that allow them to do safe and convenient financial transactions, no matter where they are in the country,” said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya. </div><div><br /></div><div> “We have built this robust ecosystem of touchpoints to help ensure that there are easily available and trusted avenues for our customers to add, transact, or move money for all their day-to-day needs,” he added. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Unrivaled network of trusted touchpoints </b></div><div><br /></div><div>PayMaya account holders need not travel very far to city centers as PayMaya’s unrivaled on-ground network of over 37,000 Smart Padala partner agent touchpoints serves as last-mile financial hubs, enabling lifeline transactions amid COVID-19 quarantine restrictions. </div><div><br /></div><div> PayMaya’s unrivaled network of on-ground and digital touchpoints is six times larger than the combined 12,371 bank branches and 22,162 ATM terminals currently operating across the country. </div><div><br /></div><div>Smart Padala agents are present even in the farthest reaches of the country, covering over 92% of all cities and municipalities nationwide. In a country where banking presence is limited to only 69% of all cities and municipalities, Smart Padala agents are connecting unbanked and underserved Filipinos to the digital economy, offering remittance, bills payment, add money, cash out, and scan-to-pay transactions. </div><div><br /></div><div>PayMaya also taps into its network of trusted enterprise merchants, including MSMEs using its PayMaya Negosyo app for payment acceptance. PayMaya's vast ecosystem of merchants, payment centers, and financial agents have become critical particularly in the government’s push to provide financial aid to those severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and various natural disasters in the past year. </div><div><br /></div><div>By sending financial aid to their PayMaya accounts, beneficiaries can easily use the funds in PayMaya QR partner merchants or encash via the nearest Smart Padala centers in their area, making it faster and more convenient for them to get their everyday essentials. “PayMaya has become a lifeline to many people during the pandemic, and we’re seeing it become even more essential for consumers, businesses, and the government in the years to come,” Baidwan explained. </div><div><br /></div><div>PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants as well as government agencies and units. </div><div><br /></div><div>Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to financial services. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 200,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 37,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.</div></div>

PayMaya's largest footprint, over 200K touchpoints enables cashless for all Filipinos

[21 JANUARY 2021] Digital financial services leader PayMaya is leading the charge toward financial inclusion as it expands its footprint to ...

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ONE BPI: Forging synergies and expanding opportunities

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) announced today that, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, it will merge with BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB), it's wholly owned thrift bank subsidiary, with BPI as the surviving entity.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09ILBW1-gkU/YApxMwfLSXI/AAAAAAAAWqk/FrJmZkfBhCYYHDiznq_iLrnW4RFO_i3JQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/BPI-2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09ILBW1-gkU/YApxMwfLSXI/AAAAAAAAWqk/FrJmZkfBhCYYHDiznq_iLrnW4RFO_i3JQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h214/BPI-2021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> The merger, which BPI hopes to complete this year, will prime the Bank to seize emerging opportunities and ultimately enhance the overall banking experience of customers. The integration of both entities will provide considerable advantages to the customers and employees of BPI and BFSB, and present potential synergies that will benefit shareholders. The reduction in the gap in regulatory reserve requirements between commercial banks and thrift banks was also a factor in the timing of the transaction.</div><div><br /> BFSB is the country’s largest thrift bank with P287 billion in assets, P235 billion in deposits, and P227 billion in loans. BFSB has focused on providing housing and auto loans to Filipino families and is a market leader in these loan segments. BFSB has approximately 3,000 employees.</div><div><br /> “This merger has the best interests of our customers and employees in mind,” said BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing, who is also the Chairman of BFSB. “As One BPI, our 8.5 million customers will be able to enjoy the full suite of the BPI group’s products, via all our digital and physical channels. Similarly, as One BPI, our employees will have the ability to work across a larger, more varied bank, while having continuity of tenure and job level.”</div><div><br /> “If our customers and employees are better off, our shareholders will also benefit. This merger is timed to provide us with the platform to help lead the economic recovery that is sure to come,” Mr. Consing added. </div>

ONE BPI: Forging synergies and expanding opportunities

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) announced today that, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, it will merge with BPI Famil...

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Cebu Pacific kicks off #CEBFiestaFunFest with special PHP88 Sinulog seat sale

<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Available for domestic flights from Cebu, for travel from January to December 2021</i></p><p>Press Release:  The Philippines’ leading carrier, <a href="https://www.bestcebublogsawards.com/search/label/cebu%20pacific%20air" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cebu Pacific</a> (CEB), celebrates with Cebuanos as it kicks off its trademark #CEBFiestaFunFest with a special PHP88 all-domestic Sinulog seat sale. Beginning today until January 31, 2021, Cebuanos and locals from neighboring cities can enjoy this special fare for flights to 19 domestic destinations from Cebu, for travel from January 15 until December 31, 2021.  </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfzWD9rzjFU/YAFQrFom9kI/AAAAAAAAWoY/3YNGXp0JJsoYHVcVZZ88Kf46piU_zWQ7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/CEB%2BPH%2BJan%2B15%2BSinulog%2BSeat%2BSale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfzWD9rzjFU/YAFQrFom9kI/AAAAAAAAWoY/3YNGXp0JJsoYHVcVZZ88Kf46piU_zWQ7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/CEB%2BPH%2BJan%2B15%2BSinulog%2BSeat%2BSale.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>This pandemic has given birth to a new normal altogether, which includes new and creative ways of celebrating milestones and festivities safely. As CEB continues to prioritize everyJuan’s health and safety, the carrier aims to inspire everyJuan to make each moment “mask masaya” while it celebrates with the community in a safe and responsible manner.</p><p>With this ongoing seat sale, travelers can once again plan trips ahead, or even book and fly now, to their favorite local destinations – whether passengers miss the warm sunny beaches of Coron, Surigao and Siargao, or just want to experience the culinary trails of Bacolod, Davao, Manila, Puerto Princesa and Pampanga, this special seat sale enables everyJuan to explore and patronize local destinations and products well beyond the Sinulog season.</p><p>Passengers with travels scheduled until March 31, 2021 will enjoy more flight options with Flexible Bookings. Guests with existing Travel Funds may also use these to book new flights to make way for new travel memories. Payments may also be made online or via payment centers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrjmaMqMenI/YAFQ0VvfNjI/AAAAAAAAWoc/FshJt6TrjCUL1Ex1hAs_jwgsgM6VfRQpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/CEB%2BPH%2BJan%2B15%2BSinulog%2BSeat%2BSale%2BFBS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrjmaMqMenI/YAFQ0VvfNjI/AAAAAAAAWoc/FshJt6TrjCUL1Ex1hAs_jwgsgM6VfRQpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w360-h640/CEB%2BPH%2BJan%2B15%2BSinulog%2BSeat%2BSale%2BFBS.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p>So, what are you waiting for? Get in a festive mood and make this year’s Sinulog celebration “mask masaya” in your own safe and special way. Book your getaway destination now via cebupacificair.com.</p><p>CEB has been rated 7/7 stars by airlineratings.com for its COVID-19 compliance as it continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, in accordance with global aviation standards. These include contactless procedures, thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols for all aircraft and facilities, mandatory wearing of masks and face shields for both passengers and crew, as well as Antigen testing for CEB frontliners before duty.  On top of these, our aircraft are also equipped with hospital-grade HEPA filters with 99.99% efficacy, keeping viruses at bay. </p><p>Cebu Pacific currently flies to 30 domestic destinations from its Manila and Cebu hubs, on top of five (5) international destinations from Manila, namely Dubai, Hong Kong, Nagoya, Seoul, and Singapore.</p>

Cebu Pacific kicks off #CEBFiestaFunFest with special PHP88 Sinulog seat sale

Available for domestic flights from Cebu, for travel from January to December 2021 Press Release:  The Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pa...

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Press Release: 'Digital Government' takes off using PayMaya’s cashless platform

<p> [04 JANUARY 2020] The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the Philippine government's digital transformation, with PayMaya leading the charge in enabling national agencies and local government units (LGUs) to accept all kinds of cashless payments and disburse financial aid anytime, anywhere.   </p><p>Over 60 government agencies and units at both national and local levels – including the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Bureau of Customs (BoC), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) – have chosen PayMaya's platform to provide citizens and businesses with a safer and better way to pay for taxes and fees.  </p><p>As the public sector goes cashless, total volume in terms of value for government transactions processed by PayMaya was estimated to have increased by 1,200% in December 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. </p><p>With PayMaya enabling cashless acceptance for the government, Filipinos can enjoy a more inclusive way to pay via any credit, debit, prepaid card, or PayMaya QR — whether through physical locations or online. Aside from convenience, those who choose to pay via PayMaya's platforms also get to enjoy more rewards such as cashback each time they pay for government transactions.   </p><p><br /></p><p>The government also has tapped PayMaya to deliver financial aid to millions of affected Filipinos who lack a bank account. To date, the digital financial services leader was able to distribute over P4.5 billion in assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), SSS, DTI, Department of Agriculture (DA), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), among other agencies, directly to the PayMaya accounts of beneficiaries. </p><p>Amid the constrained mobility, public services have become accessible even in far-flung communities, with PayMaya/Smart Padala’s largest on-ground network of more than 33,000 partner agent network touchpoints nationwide serving as last-mile digital financial hubs. With Smart Padala present in 92% of all cities and municipalities, unbanked and underserved Filipinos can pay for government fees and cash out their financial assistance within their own neighborhoods.   </p><p><br /></p><p>“The government has not only made public services more conveniently and safely available in this challenging time but it has also undeniably supercharged the engine for financial inclusion. At PayMaya, we are happy and proud to be one of the main partners of the government for this transformation," said Orlando B. Vea, CEO, and Founder at PayMaya.   </p><p> </p><p><b>Digital government pivot </b></p><p>With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting everyday life, the government has turned to digital payments to process revenue collections and distribute much-needed assistance safely and conveniently. This has been supported by landmark policies that have made cashless payments a necessary feature under the New Normal.   </p><p>PayMaya has deployed its plug and play solutions such as PayMaya Checkout, One by PayMaya, and PayMaya QR to the government’s tax agencies such as the BIR and BoC; biggest state enterprises including the SSS and Pag-IBIG; and other revenue-generating agencies such as the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), DTI, DFA, and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), among other agencies. </p><p>PayMaya has become the government’s disbursement channel for Social Amelioration Program, Small Business Wage Subsidy, and LTFRB's assistance to affected drivers, among other programs.   </p><p>Meanwhile, constituents of the cities of Batangas, Davao, Manila, Marikina, Paranaque, Ormoc, Taguig, and Valenzuela can now pay their local governments via card or QR through PayMaya’s cashless facilities. Various provinces, cities, and municipalities are utilizing PayMaya's disbursement platform for their citizen assistance programs. These include Bataan Province, Caloocan City, Manila City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City, Tarlac, and Quezon City. </p><p>In July 2020, PayMaya launched the LGU Embracing and Accelerating Digitalization (L.E.A.D.) Program to help local governments do cashless payments and digital disbursements. With the L.E.A.D., LGUs can also support businesses in their communities to offer cashless payments and their citizens to transact through their digital financial accounts.   </p><p>PayMaya has actively worked with the DTI, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the Bureau of Treasury (BoT), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and SEC in promoting various cashless initiatives in line with Ease of Doing Business and the transparency thrust of the government. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezQQgkP_AMk/X_1qlz-PW3I/AAAAAAAAWlo/ZSfvaotKQXMChYy8RQpXBmZxZmy49WvDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s704/paymaya-pressrelease.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="704" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezQQgkP_AMk/X_1qlz-PW3I/AAAAAAAAWlo/ZSfvaotKQXMChYy8RQpXBmZxZmy49WvDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/paymaya-pressrelease.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><i>Government agencies were able to continue the delivery of safe and efficient public service in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of PayMaya's cashless platforms, allowing agencies in both the national and local levels to continue accepting payments for government services and disburse financial aid to their respective constituents through their e-Wallet accounts. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i> Millions of citizen beneficiaries from the various programs of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Social Security System (SSS), Department of Trade and Industry  (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as well as LGUs like Caloocan, Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City among others, were able to safely and conveniently receive financial aid straight to their PayMaya accounts. Meanwhile, Smart Padala by PayMaya’s more than 33,000 partner agent network served as encashment touchpoints where beneficiaries, including the student from Caloocan in the photo, were able to safely and easily encash their funds in their own neighborhood.</i></div><p><br /></p><p><b>Government ignites radical shift to cashless     </b></p><p>Results of the latest e-Conomy SEA 2020 report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company revealed that the average number of cash transactions by consumers declined from 48% pre-COVID-19 to 37% post-COVID-19.   </p><p>“Our country's digital transformation is propelled by our government's decisive cashless pivot amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, it is not a question of going cashless as consumers and businesses are already choosing digital as their default payment. As the country’s only end-to-end digital payments platform ecosystem enabler, PayMaya serves all – consumers, enterprises, and the government – in the most inclusive way possible," said Vea.   </p><p>Vea noted that the passage of important legislation such as the Use of Digital Payments Act and Better Normal in the Workplace, Public Spaces, and Communities would further mandate cashless payments as the preferred mode, complementing the existing Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018 and the E-Commerce Act of 2000.   </p><p>“By equipping the government with end-to-end tools and supporting its digitalization policies, PayMaya is committed to contributing significantly towards driving electronic payments to 50% of the total transactions by 2023, as estimated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” Vea said.   </p><p>“We are confident the Philippines can make this happen, with the government rolling out the National ID, which when linked to digital financial services could become a service platform for a more responsive digital government in 2021 and beyond.”   </p><p>PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants as well as government agencies and units.   </p><p>Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to financial services. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out, or remit through its over 200,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 33,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.</p>

Press Release: 'Digital Government' takes off using PayMaya’s cashless platform

 [04 JANUARY 2020] The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the Philippine government's digital transformation, with PayMaya leading the ch...

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Cebu Pacific welcomes second ATR freighter

<p>Leading Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) recently took delivery of its second ATR cargo freighter, further strengthening its cargo operations to and from domestic airports with short runways. At present, only a third of the airports in the Philippines can accommodate jet aircraft, while the rest can only be served by turboprops.  </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzfRIN4RIi8/X_V2UU6f-zI/AAAAAAAAWlA/WmDDaoLh9cYmLuJGs2F7C0wfNrDtKgTPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Out%2BDNR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzfRIN4RIi8/X_V2UU6f-zI/AAAAAAAAWlA/WmDDaoLh9cYmLuJGs2F7C0wfNrDtKgTPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Out%2BDNR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The ATR 72-500 aircraft with tail number RP-C7253 was converted at the Sabena Technics DNR S.A.S. facility in Dinard, France. CEB’s first freighter that arrived in August 2019 was likewise converted at the same facility.  Both ATR freighters, operated by CEB’s subsidiary Cebgo, are equipped with a Large Cargo Door, allowing for capacity to be as much as eight (8) tons of palletized cargo. </p><p>Apart from its two ATR freighters, CEB has also recently modified one of its A330 aircraft into an all-cargo configuration, removing seats so that cargo can be carried in the main deck.  </p><p>“We saw this pandemic as an opportunity to recalibrate our business and optimize operations to address the needs of our customers. There is a growing demand for cargo to and from the Philippines and our fleet of dedicated cargo aircraft allows us to address this while doing so in a more efficient manner,” says Alex Reyes, President and CEO of Cebgo. </p><p>CEB has ensured transport of essential goods is not hampered, especially during this time. The carrier continues to anticipate its cargo business to continue flourishing, and its investment in these dedicated cargo aircraft supports its commitment to continue providing affordable and accessible air travel services for every Juan.   </p><p> More information on CEB cargo may be found here: https://www.cebupacificair.com/cargo  </p>

Cebu Pacific welcomes second ATR freighter

Leading Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) recently took delivery of its second ATR cargo freighter, further strengthening its cargo...

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