PayMaya and beep™ team up to provide safer, contactless commute for all

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Digital financial services leader PayMaya Philippines partners with beep™ to provide commuters a safer way to load up their beep™ cards.  

Commuters can enjoy a safe and contactless commute by simply purchasing their beep™ load packages on the PayMaya app. With this load up method, there is no longer a need for face-to-face interactions with the teller, as well as exchange of cash, which can contribute to the further spread of the virus.  

PayMaya users can choose among three beep™ load packages on their PayMaya app: 

P100, P250, and P500 with an additional P5 convenience fee. 

To buy a load package on PayMaya, simply follow these easy steps: 

1. Tap treats on the app homepage 2. Select a beep™ card load package 3. Input your beep™ card number, then tap continue 4. Wait for a purchase confirmation in-app and via SMS 5. Head over to a beep™ e-load station and tap your card to receive the load package.  

Once the beep™ card is loaded, it can already be used on LRT 1, LRT 2, MRT 3, as well as in Point-to-Point (P2P) and Metro Manila city buses. There’s also a growing number of modern PUVs, among other transportation modes, that accept beep™ cards as a payment method. 

AF Payments Head of Business Development, Sharon Fong said, “We recognize the challenges and health risks that the daily Filipino commuter faces during the pandemic. We want to help mitigate those health risks by promoting contactless commuting. So instead of paying for your fare with cash that gets passed around by different people, you just tap your beep™ card. Loading your card is also safer and more convenient when you use cashless options, such as PayMaya.”

“As the country reopens, more Filipinos are starting to go back to work and use public transportation. At PayMaya, we’re committed to making cashless options widely available in the transportation sector in order to promote a safer and more convenient commute for the public. Our partnership with beep™ is just one of the many steps we are taking to achieve this goal,” said Shailesh Baidwan, PayMaya President. 

Apart from PayMaya, commuters can also reload their beep™ cards through select Smart Padala agents in their neighborhood for a quick and convenient transaction. All they have to do is follow these simple steps:  

1. Go to your trusted Smart Padala agent and ask if beep load packages are available. 2. Give the beep™ card account number and load amount. You can load P100, P250, and P500. 3. Pay for the load amount with the additional P10 service fee. 4. Head over to a beep™ e-load station and tap your card to receive the purchased load.

PayMaya has previously announced its support to the directive released by the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board mandating the use of contactless payments in public utility vehicles as part of the measures in what is dubbed as the “new normal." 

In June, it has entered into an agreement ride-hailing app hirna and its partner taxi drivers to be able to accept cashless payments from its customers via PayMaya QR.  

PayMaya has also previously equipped taxi operators in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Baguio with contactless payments, and enabled the first digital bus ticketing system with the Araneta Bus Port for cashless payments through credit and debit cards as well as via PayMaya QR.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya enables national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services.   

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner touchpoints nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. 

To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Globe at Home Postpaid introduces new innovative promo plans

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Recreate the world right at home with faster speeds, unli data and free devices

While the country has shifted to more relaxed quarantine guidelines, many still choose to stay at home, opting to use the internet to work, study, and entertain themselves. Globe at Home is empowering families across the country to recreate the world right at home with its new postpaid plans, bundled with exciting freebies and complimentary services.

Bring the cinema right at home

With Plan 1899, customers can experience speeds of up to 30 Mbps with unlimited data. The cinema is right at home as new customers get three months free access to iWant and Amazon Prime Video plus a free Android TV box.  The Android TV box transforms any TV into a Smart TV with thousands of videos, movies, and games from the Google Play Store, YouTube, and other apps--making every night a movie night.

Set up the office right at home

With the increasing demand for home connection for the entire family, there’s no better time to upgrade to 100 Mbps speed with unlimited data for only P2899. This plan comes with two TP Link Deco M5 WiFi Mesh devices, which expand the WiFi coverage to more areas at home. With these, users can seamlessly move from room to room with a stable connection. 

Plan 2899 is perfect for big families, especially with parents who need to work and grow their businesses at home. Moreover, they get exclusive access to the VIP Tech Squad hotline, a specialized customer service team that provides end-to-end support for WiFi connectivity and installation of devices such as the TP-Link WiFi mesh system that enables enhanced online security for all users in the family. 

Secure a plan fit with your budget

Families can choose from a wide range of postpaid plans depending on their budget.

Globe at Home’s starter pack is Plan 1299, with speeds of up to 10 Mbps and 500GB of data allocation per month. Unlimited plans start at Plan 1699 and come with varying speeds ranging from up to 15 Mbps to a maximum of up to 1 Gbps with Plan 9499.

New and existing Globe at Home customers can apply for or can upgrade their plans using the Globe at Home app which can be downloaded for FREE via Google Playstore or the App Store. All of these plans come with three months of free access to iWant and Amazon Prime Video, and a free landline unit with unlimited calls to Globe and TM subscribers for 24 months.

Learn more via the official Globe at Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/globeathome/ or send a message via the Globe At Home FB messenger.

Alfamart offers Neovent Glass Containers for special promo price

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Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart chain in the Philippines, has something special for its customers. You can now purchase Neoflam’s Neovent glass containers at a special price by completing three stamps on an Alfamart stamp card.

Neoflam is a Korean kitchenware brand that makes elegant and tough products like containers, knives, pots, and pans. With this promo you now have a chance to get the Neovent food storage containers at an amazing discount.

Neovent containers have amazing build quality with shock-resistant borosilicate glass. The containers have lids with an airtight locking mechanism which ensures your food remains fresh for a longer time. These containers are especially convenient in this time of quarantines because we are mostly at home enjoying cooking or splurging on food deliveries. Glass containers also make for better food storage compared to plastics because you can be entirely sure that it is microwave safe and, unlike plastics, there is smaller chance of contamination.

First, acquire a stamp card at an Alfamart near you. Every PhP 100 purchase earns you a stamp on the card. If you have three stamps, just surrender the card and purchase either a Neoflam 0.32L square glass container for PhP 165.00; a 0.64L rectangle glass container for PhP 205.00; or a 1L rectangle glass container for PhP 270.00.

If you want to purchase another one of these containers, simply get another stamp card and fill it up with three stamps again.

The promotion runs from July 1 – August 31, 2020, while the redemption period is until October 31, 2020. Visit your nearest Alfamart branch for more details.

Access a Universe of Amazing Exclusive Deals with ZRewards

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You deserve a reward! Beginning July 15, everyone will have a chance to unlock exciting and exclusive freebies and discounts never offered before by today's hottest and biggest brands courtesy of ZRewards by Zeal. 

ZRewards by Zeal is the country’s newest one-stop shop for awesome deals. Through their website, users from all over the Philippines can grab hold of premium and solid offers redeemable at their favorite online shops and physical stores. Best of all, there’s no strings attached. Membership is free, so the entire family can join in on the fun. 

Making the most out of your bucks

ZRewards by Zeal aims to embody what it wants to deliver.

For foodies, Restaurant Concepts Group, Inc. (RCGI), is giving out 25% discount coupons, the first time it has ever done so.  RCGI is the brain behind top notch restaurants Barcino, Single Origin, Bluesmith Coffee, and Meat Depot.  If you haven’t tried them, now is the perfect time.

Diners can also indulge in international gastronomical delights from the Bistro Group and Bistronomia  hosts of restaurants while at home and still get the most value out of their money.  Dine in style with Helm and Savage.  Satisfy seafood cravings with Red Lobster and Fish & Co.  Recreate a Spanish fiesta with Las Flores, Rambla, Tomatito, BCN by Las Flores, La Lola Churreria and El Pollo Loco. Go Italian with Italianni’s and Osteria Daniele.

Have some dessert from Coldstone, Tous Les Jours, Jipan and Goldilocks or just let your hair down with other deals from Zark’s and Bo’s. Shakey’s is also unveiling an exclusive promo on ZRewards where you can get a free large thin Hawaiian Delight pizza for every purchase of their new Supercard+.

And even while in community quarantine, you can transport yourself to America with Friday’s, Denny’s, Texas Roadhouse, Hard Rock Cafe, and Buffalo Wild WIngs.  If you love East Asia, visit China with Modern Shanghai, proceed to South Korea with Bulgogi Brothers, and drop by Japan with Watami. 

For your essential needs, take advantage of the wonderful deals from Unilever, Minimart, The Naturale Market, Breville, and Misso.  Keep yourself happy, fit, and entertained with discounts from Zalora, Flowerstore, The Smile Bar, Beauty Scout, Chris Sports, Grand Videoke, WOW Fiesta, and Beyond the Box.  Once the community quarantine is lifted and you can finally go out, use your discounts to flex your muscles at Gold’s Gym and get yourself a makeover from Browhaus and Strip.

Pinoy challenges

“We acknowledge the ever changing needs of our customers, especially under the new normal.  Because of the pandemic, consumers and businesses alike have fewer opportunities to connect with one another.  That is where we come in.  We envision ZRewards by Zeal as a source of discovery and delight for the consumers and a platform for merchants to reach out to their customers,” said Glenn Z. Estrella, Chief-Executive-Officer of ZRewards by Zeal. 

One of the pain points right now for a lot of Filipino consumers is that looking for deals is challenging. For some brands, it includes a paid membership to a loyalty program. For others, it entails going through dozens of websites just to find one single deal which may not even be valid or worth  the effort. 

Deals have become even more important during the COVID-19 outbreak. As people try to manage their finances more sustainably, deals, discounts and rewards can make a world of difference.  

It’s a similar situation for businesses. With the limited number of people going out, a lot of restaurants and stores need to find a way to sustain business operations. Deals are one of the few effective ways to entice customers to grab their phones and make an order. However, distributing those deals can also be problematic and costly. 

Through ZRewards, it’s a win-win situation for both parties. Businesses now have another platform to meet their customers while customers will benefit from big saving and irresistible deals under just one roof. Visit their website and sign up today: https://zeal.ph/signup .

ZRewards by Zeal is a brand under 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe. 

STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2020: Putting the Brakes on COVID-19: How to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now

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UNFPA in the Philippines launched the State of World Population Report and commemorated the World Population Day together with POPCOM

MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines, together with the Philippine Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), commemorated the World Population Day (11 July) through a virtual event broadcasted online. Featuring eminent policymakers such as the Secretary of Health Dr. Francisco Duque III, Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ms. Rhodora M. Bucoy, and Commissioner on Human Rights Ms. Karen Lucia Gomez-Dumpit, the joint event of UNFPA Philippines and POPCOM unpacked and discussed major vulnerabilities and harmful practices experienced by women and girls, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified these. The online event also featured a virtual hand-over of UNFPA’s global State of World Population (SWOP) Report 2020 to Undersecretary and Executive Director of POPCOM, Dr. Juan Antonio “Jeepy” Perez III.

Every year, millions of girls are subjected to practices that harm them physically and emotionally, with the full knowledge and consent of their families, friends, and communities, according to the SWOP Report 2020, published by the headquarters of UNFPA, the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency.

The UNFPA report entitled “Against My Will: Defying the Practices That Harm Women and Girls and Undermine Equality” has identified at least 19 harmful practices, ranging from breast ironing to virginity testing, as human rights violations, and focused on the three most prevalent ones: female genital mutilation, son preference, and child marriage.

“Harmful practices against girls cause profound and lasting trauma, robbing them of their right to reach their full potential,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.

While progress had been made in ending some harmful practices worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to reverse gains. A recent analysis revealed that if services and programmes remain shuttered for six months, an additional 13 million girls may be forced into marriage.

Mr. Iori Kato, UNFPA Country Representative in the Philippines,

“In the Philippines, even before the outbreak of COVID-19, 1 out of 6 Filipino girls married before 18. And because the effects of this pandemic and quarantine measures are disrupting those efforts to end child marriage, we may actually see even a further increase in child marriage,” Mr. Iori Kato, UNFPA Country Representative in the Philippines, alerted. 

“Maternal deaths, unintended pregnancies, unmet need for modern contraceptives, and gender-based violence could all increase significantly, compared to pre-COVID in 2019”.

On the occasion of this year’s World Population Day with the theme of “Putting the Brakes on COVID-19: How to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now,” Mr. Gustavo González, the newly-appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator and the Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines, underscored:

“What we have been observing in the country and globally, is the tremendous impact of the pandemic on women and girls. Looking after the health of women does not only mean ensuring their protection from the coronavirus; but also ensuring that women are able to access a wide range of services, including reproductive health and family planning information and services as a matter of choice and human right.”

The online event presented the preliminary results of an analysis that the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) had recently conducted with UNFPA about the impact of COVID-19 and quarantines on Filipino women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and freedom from violence. The study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions in access to essential services could result in increasing the annual maternal deaths to 3,200, 26% higher than the pre-COVID 2019, as well as in a significant increase in unplanned pregnancies, including among thousands of teenage girls. Domestic violence is also expected to increase as women and girls are stuck in the same home as their abusive partners, although many of them would be unreported.

POPCOM Executive Director Dr. “Jeepy” Perez emphasized, “Despite the challenges, there are policies, measures, laws and numerous other efforts in place adherent to the Philippines’ commitments made in the Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) where the Philippines was a staunch supporter as a signatory 25 years ago. While there are observable great strides in our population and development goals, more needs to be done, especially at this time when COVID-19 can derail the work we have strived so hard to accomplish.”

Results of the Sexual & Reproductive Health and Gender-based Violence estimates amid COVID-19 pandemic were presented by Prof. Ma. Paz Marquez, Team Leader of UPPI Research Team on SRH/GBV Estimates.

On World Population Day 2020, POPCOM and UNFPA vow to strengthen their partnership to support women’s and girls’ unique needs faced during the pandemic, working with various national, regional, and local governments and NGOs in the Philippines. To enable this, UNFPA Philippines is appealing for USD 11 million or 549 million Pesos of additional resources as part of the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19.

Website: www.unfpa.org/swop

Website: www.popcom.gov.ph