The Palawan Group of Companies (PGC), owner and operator of the leading and most trusted pawnshop and remittance names in the Philippines, Palawan Pawnshop – Palawan Express Pera Padala (PEPP), is strengthening its commitment to grassroots entrepreneurship by forging a stronger partnership with RAFI Microfinance, Inc.
The contract signing was held at the PGC Head Office in Puerto Princesa, marking a unified effort to empower and uplift micro-entrepreneurs across the country.
With this partnership, RAFI Microfinance’s services will be accessible via PGC’s expansive network of over 3,500 PEPP branches nationwide. As both companies are rooted in championing financial inclusion among Filipinos, particularly those in remote or underserved areas, this strengthened alliance aims to enhance reliability and accessibility of crucial financial services – all while reducing associated travel time and costs.
PGC’s partnership with RAFI Microfinance Inc. bridges the gap in financial access for underserved MSMEs by combining nationwide reach with inclusive financial services to empower grassroots entrepreneurs.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, small businesses account for 99.59 percent of all registered businesses in the Philippines as of 2023, contributing more than 65 percent of the country’s total employment. Despite their vital role in the economy, many of these, especially those in rural or low-income communities, continue to struggle with limited access to formal credit, business development support, and scalable financial tools.
The partnership between PGC and RAFI Microfinance is a vital response to this gap, leveraging PGC’s extensive physical reach and digital infrastructure to bring RAFI Microfinance’s inclusive services closer to underserved entrepreneurs. By enhancing access to financial services at the grassroots level, the alliance is crucial in achieving PGC’s core objective of fostering inclusive growth and building a more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem nationwide.
