Palawan Group of Companies, founded 38 years ago by Bobby and Angelita Castro, is a trusted brand in the pawnshop and remittance industry. Founded in 1985, they expanded their business by introducing money remittance services under Palawan Express Pera Padala, which became a lifeline for many Filipinos, providing an affordable and efficient means of sending and receiving money.
Furthermore, the Palawan Group of Companies’ growth is a testament to innovation in action. It has come a long way in the pawn brokering business. The company has expanded into various avenues, offering international money remittance, foreign currency exchange, e-loading, bills payment, SME loans, and even ProtekTODO accident insurance. With technology reshaping the landscape of transactions, they introduced PalawanPay, the fastest-growing e-wallet, addressing the evolving needs of their loyal customers.
The company’s expansion transcended geographical boundaries. With over 10,000 branches and authorized agents nationwide, Palawan Group of Companies’s reach extended to cities, municipalities, and remote towns. Serving as a financial beacon, they’ve upheld their commitment to the masses—the unbanked and underbanked—by providing accessible and reliable services.
Palawan Pawnshop’s success is attributed to their innovative services, such as the Customer’s Choice Package and Discount Coupons. They also maintain customer connections through automated text notifications and the Suki Card loyalty program, promoting a “Mura, Mabilis at Walang Kuskos Balungos na Serbisyo” brand of service.
Palawan Group of Companies recognizes the need to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of digital living and the increasing demand from customers for fast and safe transactions. To address this, they introduced PalawanPay, now the fastest-growing e-wallet app that empowers their customers to perform financial transactions conveniently, anywhere and anytime. In addition to features such as fund transfers, bills payments, e-loading, and QRPH cashless transactions, PalawanPay has more than 14,290 Money Shops where all these transactions are possible. The company has also launched Pawn Renewal services via the app. This empowers customers to renew their pawned items at their convenience, regardless of location, or they can choose to renew at any of the 3,300 Palawan Pawnshop branches nationwide. The organization’s steadfast commitment to innovation and flexibility ensures win-win solutions for its customers, further reinforcing its dedication and mission of enhancing the lives of Filipinos.
The company’s unwavering commitment to the broader community is evident through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, driven by its belief in giving back to its sukis and the community. Their efforts focused on education, sports, and environmental protection, demonstrating their ardent dedication to service towards their customers. Notably, their scholarship program has nurtured 570 scholars since 1998, with 124 graduates in the 2022-2023 academic year. Aiming to create a healthier planet, they’ve planted an impressive 52,709 trees this year, including a remarkable 25,665 trees last August 12, 2023. Alongside this, their proactive approach to sports is showcased through 42 tennis events organized in 2023, engaging 2,359 players nationwide. These initiatives showcase their dedication to transforming lives and nurturing a better world.
During a heartfelt speech on their company anniversary, Bobby Castro, the company’s founder and visionary leader, openly shared his insights, saying, “Our journey is all about continuous innovation and setting new industry standards. Our goal is to offer the very best products and services to our beloved ‘sukis’. Learning from our customers, front liners, security guards, and our own team members is absolutely vital in our journey. But beyond just innovation, the true heart of our success thrives within our company culture. It’s in the genuine kindness we show to each other and our co-associates, ‘ang tunay na malasakit sa ating mga suki’ (the genuine concern that we extend to our customers), the unwavering passion that fuels all our efforts, our steadfast commitment to honesty and integrity, and the profound love we hold for our company and the communities we serve.”
The Palawan Group of Companies is a leader in the industry, demonstrating that success is not just about profits but also about the lives touched, communities uplifted, and enduring relationships forged. Their story inspires businesses to focus on the positive impact they can have on the world.
