PalawanPay’s Visa virtual card widens access to digital finance

Insider Spotlight

• PalawanPay rolls out a virtual Visa card aimed at the unbanked
• Product targets everyday digital payments without bank requirements
• Initiative reinforces Palawan Group’s financial inclusion mission
  
  

The Palawan Group of Companies is doubling down on its push for financial inclusion with the launch of the PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card, positioning the product as a gateway to global digital payments for Filipinos who have long been excluded from traditional banking.

Millions of Filipinos remain unbanked or underbanked, limiting their ability to participate in e-commerce, subscription services, and cross-border digital transactions. 

By embedding a Visa virtual card directly into its e-wallet, PalawanPay is lowering barriers that have historically kept these consumers on the sidelines of the digital economy.

What they’re saying

“For many Filipinos, owning a Visa card has always felt out of reach — something reserved for those with bank accounts or credit lines. With the PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card, we’re changing that. We built this to be simple, practical, and truly pang-masa," PalawanPay CEO Third Librea said in a press release on Dec. 16, 2025.

"Now every Filipino, every suki, can access global commerce with confidence—securely and affordably,” 

Third Librea 

CEO, PalawanPay

How it works

Verified PalawanPay users can activate the virtual Visa card within the app and immediately use it for online shopping, bill payments, travel bookings, and streaming subscriptions. The card also supports secure money transfers powered by Visa Direct, expanding use cases beyond basic payments.

Between the lines

Unlike traditional cards that require credit checks or bank accounts, the 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.

What they’re saying

“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—practical and within reach of every suki,” Palawan Group chief marketing officer Bernard Kaibigan said.

What’s next

PalawanPay plans to expand the ecosystem further with the launch of a physical Visa card by 2026, enabling in-store and point-of-sale transactions worldwide. The move signals a longer-term strategy to bridge brick-and-mortar cash habits with digital financial tools.—Vanessa  Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma