BTI Payments, a self-service payment kiosk operator, announced it had partnered with Southstar Drug, the oldest operating drugstore in the Philippines, for the installation of Pay&Go service kiosks in its outlets nationwide to help more Filipinos gain access to financial services.
Under the partnership, a total of 50 Pay&Go kiosks have already been deployed across various Southstar Drug locations in the country, including 20 stores in Luzon, five in Visayas, and 25 in the National Capital Region. This deployment complements the more than 1,700 existing Pay&Go kiosks around the country, where Filipinos can do a wide range of financial transactions, including bill payments, mobile top-ups, and e-Money cash-ins, thus making essential financial services more accessible to customers.
Dan Ibarra, CEO of BTI Payments, underscores the significance of the partnership, saying the deployment of Pay&Go kiosks in Southstar Drug stores is a critical move towards enhancing financial service accessibility in the Philippines. “This partnership reflects our commitment to empowering Filipinos with convenient financial services and aligns with our vision of building an extensive network that will support the country’s financial ecosystem.”
For her part, Southstar Drug General Manager Mariel Crisostomo waxed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing Pay&Go’s role in advancing the company’s customer service goals.
“Incorporating Pay&Go services into our network will significantly improve our customer service and accessibility. This integration not only enriches our offerings but also positions us to better meet the progressive needs of our customers, enhancing their overall experience in our stores,” says Crisostomo.
This collaboration represents a significant step in combining retail and financial services, catering to the evolving consumer preferences in the Philippines. Indicative of this trend, the latest statistics from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas indicate that digital payments are on track to reach 50 percent of total retail payments in the country by the end of the year.
The integration of Pay&Go kiosks into Southstar Drug stores also marks the companies’ shared effort to provide convenient and accessible services to Filipinos.
Looking ahead, BTI Payments and Southstar Drug are dedicated to expanding this initiative, aiming to increase the reach of these essential services. This partnership is expected to set a precedent for future collaborations in the retail and financial sectors, paving a model that can bring greater financial access in the Philippines.
To celebrate this partnership, BTI Payments and Southstar Drug launched the “Cash In, Take a Selfie, and Win!” promo. From December 20, 2023 to January 31, 2024, customers who cash in at least P2,000 via Pay&Go in Southstar Drug can win Southstar Drug gift certificates. Three winners of P3,000 and 10 winners of P1,000 gift certificates will be announced on Pay&Go’s official Facebook page.
For additional information about this partnership and the services offered, visit
www.btipaymentsph.com and http://www.payandgo.ph/.
(MAIN PHOTO: (left to right) Mariel Medina, Chief Commercial Officer of BTI Payments, Dan Ibarra, CEO of BTI Payments, Mariel Crisostomo, Southstar Drug General Manager, and Thaddeus Sanchez, Southstar
Drug Deputy General Manager)