Palawan Group of Companies and University of Baguio Plant the Seeds of a New Partnership and Launch the '1 Million Trees Project'

The Palawan Group of Companies and the University of Baguio have officially launched a transformative collaboration that combines a new payment partnership with a significant environmental initiative. The contract signing ceremony, held on September 6 at the University of Baguio, marks the beginning of an exciting venture aimed at promoting both financial convenience for the University community and ecological sustainability. 

As part of this partnership, students, parents, faculty, and staff can now use PalawanPay, Palawan Express, and other trusted services to manage tuition payments and other school-related expenses. In a video message, Lisa Lou Castro-Sabado, Chief Business Development Officer of the Palawan Group of Companies, share her excitement: “With this collaboration, the payment of tuition, fees, and other school-related expenses has become easier and more hassle-free for our students, parents, faculty, and staff. This partnership reflects our shared values of accessibility, trust, and community support.” 

The ceremony was attended by key representatives from both organizations. Representing the Palawan Group of Companies were Rema Dabalus, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Jaylord Paleb, Regional Accounts Manager for North & Central Luzon, and Greece Palasigue, B2B Marketing Manager. The University of Baguio was represented by Dr. Froilan C. Aspa, Director of the Office of Student Affairs, and Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro, Director of the Linkages Office. 

Dr. Froilan C. Aspa, in his speech, highlighted the significance of the collaboration: “We are deeply honored and pleased that you have chosen the University of Baguio as your esteemed partner for the '1 Million Trees Project.’ This meaningful initiative reflects a profound commitment to preserving and enriching our environment, and we commend your leadership in this significant cause,” Dr. Aspa remarked. He continued, “Our institution is dedicated to fostering a spirit of sustainability, and we believe that, through this partnership, we can create lasting change that will benefit not only our local community but also future generations.” 

Ms. Rema Dabalus, representing Palawan’s CSR efforts, shared the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship. “At Palawan Pawnshop, we believe in giving back to the community. It has always been our mission to share the blessings we receive through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, especially in the areas of education, sports development, and environmental protection. Under our environmental pillar, we launched the 1 million Trees Project in 2020, spearheaded by Mr. Bobby L. Castro. Our goal is to plant one million trees in areas where we operate, aiming to reach this milestone by 2025, coinciding with our 40th anniversary.” 

This partnership not only addresses environmental challenges but also brings greater convenience to the financial dealings of the University of Baguio community. By combining a focus on sustainability with accessible financial services, both organizations are working towards a brighter future.