As the Philippines marks Fire Prevention Month, the Palawan Group of Companies is betting that protection, like many Filipino household staples, can be sold “tingi.”
Through its microinsurance arm Palawan ProtekTODO, the company has rolled out ProtekTODO Fire 99, a P99 fire insurance product designed to give families quick financial relief after a blaze. The policy offers up to P30,000 in fire cash assistance for residential properties and an accidental death benefit of up to P10,000.
The strategy mirrors the broader “sachet economy” that has long defined Filipino consumer behavior—where products from shampoo to cooking oil are sold in affordable single-use packs. By applying the same logic to insurance, Palawan aims to lower cost, one of the biggest barriers to financial protection.
“A fire can change everything a family has worked for in an instant,” said Lisa Castro-Sabado, chief business development officer of the Palawan Group. She noted that the low entry price allows families to secure immediate financial support to begin rebuilding after a disaster.
The push comes against a backdrop of persistent fire risks.
Data from the Bureau of Fire Protection National Capital Region recorded 3,565 fire incidents across Metro Manila, with faulty electrical connections, smoking, and open-flame cooking among the leading causes.
Fire safety advocates say awareness and preparedness must go hand in hand. Gladwin Abram So, fire marshal of the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Firefighters of the Philippines Inc., emphasized that many fire incidents stem from preventable hazards.
Palawan’s approach blends financial preparedness with accessibility. ProtekTODO Fire 99 is available through Palawan Pawnshop–Palawan Express Pera Padala branches nationwide and on digital channels including PalawanPay, Lazada, and Shopee.
For a country where disasters often strike the most vulnerable households, the P99 policy signals a growing shift: microinsurance that is as accessible—and as essential—as everyday necessities.
