AS part of the company’s mission to make financial services accessible to more Filipinos, PalawanPay, the e-wallet of Palawan Group of Companies, has unveiled the PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card. This card can be used to pay for online shops such as Shopee and Lazada, travel bookings and digital wallets, subscription services, and secure money transfers powered by Visa Direct.
By 2026, PalawanPay will launch its physical Visa card, providing even more flexibility for point-of-sale and in-store payments worldwide.
Founded 40 years ago, the Palawan Group of Companies is one of the country’s largest pawnshop and money remittance networks. PalawanPay CEO Third Librea said that for many Filipinos, owning a Visa card has always felt out of reach, something reserved for those with bank accounts or credit lines.
‘This is a significant step in building a more complete digital financial ecosystem for our users. As online payments become part of everyday life, from e-commerce and subscriptions to travel bookings, the PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card strengthens our role as a bridge between cash-based consumers and the global digital economy, delivering Palawan Group’s trusted brand of service-‘mura, mabilis, at walang kuskos-balungos,” said Librea.
What makes the PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card unique is that PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card is designed around cash-based behaviors. Users can cash-in for free at more than 3,500 Palawan Express branches nationwide, ensuring access even in areas with limited banking infrastructure.
‘PalawanPay’s Virtual Visa Card is more than a new feature. It is a step toward a more inclusive digital economy. Our goal is simple: to make digital finance truly para sa lahat [for everyone]-practical and within reach of every suki,’ said Palawan Group chief marketing officer Bernard Kaibigan.
Verified PalawanPay users can activate the virtual Visa card within the app. Aside from online shopping, paying for streaming subscriptions, travel bookings, and bills payments, the card also supports secure money transfers powered by Visa Direct.
To activate your PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card, simply log on to your PalawanPay app and follow the instructions there. With a few taps and clicks, your virtual card will be activated.
The Palawan Group, with JCI Senate Philippines, recently honored Filipino service workers during the 10th year of the Kasambahay, Kasambuhay Awards, an initiative recognizing the dedication and service of household helpers who help sustain homes and families across the country.
The initiative paid tribute to 20 outstanding household helpers from the 2024 and 2025 award cycles during a ceremony attended by awardees, their employers, and family members. Each recipient received Php100,000 in cash and access to a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) scholarship, which may be used by the awardee or a family member.
The Palawan Group said household helpers make up a significant portion of its customer base. These customers use the Palawan Group’s services to send money to their relatives in the provinces and buy mobile load.
Through PalawanPay, household helpers can send money and even pay their family’s bills, thus staying connected with their loved ones in the provinces. Palawan Pay users may choose wallet-to-wallet transfers or over-the-counter payouts for relatives who prefer cash.