The Palawan Group of Companies, Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have partnered to expand access to government financial assistance, combining digital payment services with physical payout channels to reach vulnerable Filipinos.
The tripartite agreement will support the distribution of government aid through DSWD’s Hybrid Digital Payout (HDP) System, allowing beneficiaries to receive assistance electronically or through designated physical payout outlets.
The arrangement is expected to help reduce transportation costs, travel time and lost work opportunities for low-income households, senior citizens, informal workers and residents of underserved communities who may face difficulties accessing government services.
Under a memorandum of agreement signed at LANDBANK’s Tanauan Branch in Batangas, Palawan Group will serve as an accredited financial service provider supporting government aid distribution.
The company will draw on its nationwide network of more than 3,800 branches and PalawanPay digital platform, which has 23 million users, to provide additional channels for beneficiaries to receive assistance.
The partnership brings together DSWD’s social protection programs, LANDBANK’s government payment infrastructure and Palawan Group’s physical and digital financial services network.
“This partnership strengthens the work we have already been doing together and allows us to support more beneficiaries through accessible and convenient payout channels,” said Missy Baldemor, head of Palawan for Business.
A key feature of the arrangement is its hybrid approach to payments. While digital transactions can offer greater convenience, retaining physical payout options provides an alternative for beneficiaries without reliable internet access, digital payment accounts or sufficient familiarity with electronic transactions.
The initiative reflects broader efforts to improve financial inclusion by making government assistance more accessible through multiple delivery channels.
However, the partners have not disclosed beneficiary targets or an implementation timetable. The program’s reach and effectiveness will depend on rollout arrangements, service availability and how easily eligible recipients can access their funds.
By combining established physical outlets with digital payment services, the partnership aims to bring government assistance closer to communities while addressing practical barriers to receiving financial support.
