PEP

Western Union, JuanPay expand remittance access

DT · Sep 5, 2026, 3:31 AM

DURING the signing of their commercial partnership to expand international remittance services across the Philippines. from left: Western Union’s Don Alair, country director for the Philippines; Gregory Laurent, regional vice president for Japan, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands; Vince Tallent, senior vice president for APAC; and JuanPay’s Rico Fernando Chico, chairman; Atty. Rafael Padilla, president; and Arlene Chico, director. — PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of ACM Group

Western Union and JuanPay have partnered to make international money transfer services available through participating JuanPay locations across the country.

The partnership will allow customers to send and receive money internationally through JuanPay outlets, alongside existing services such as bills and loan payments, government transactions and pharmacy services.

The companies said the service is particularly aimed at communities with strong ties to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), giving customers access to international remittance services through established local businesses.

The initial rollout will cover about 1,400 priority locations from JuanPay’s network of 2,000 owned and franchise-operated outlets, with plans to progressively expand the service across the wider network. Western Union’s network covers more than 200 countries and territories.

JuanPay, a subsidiary of ACM Group of Companies, has a presence in provincial communities through a network of local Filipino entrepreneurs. The partnership expands the financial services available through JuanPay outlets while providing Western Union with an additional retail channel in the Philippines.

“Our vision for JuanPay has always been to bring essential financial services closer to Filipino communities. Our collaboration with Western Union brings together global connectivity and JuanPay’s community-based approach to access. Ultimately, this is about making trusted financial services more accessible and convenient for every Juan,” said Rico Fernando M. Chico, chairman of ACM Group of Companies.

Atty. Rafael Angelo M. Padilla, president of ACM Business Solutions Inc., said the partnership is a milestone in JuanPay’s effort to broaden financial access and provide technology-enabled services to Filipinos nationwide.

Vince Tallent, Western Union senior vice president and head of Asia-Pacific, said the partnership would help serve customers who prefer face-to-face financial services or have varying levels of digital connectivity.

“With customers in the Philippines wanting more flexibility and convenience, multi-service locations that serve as one-stop shops for their financial services needs have a vital role to play,” Tallent said. He added that the arrangement combines JuanPay’s local reach with Western Union’s global presence.

Gregory Laurent, Western Union’s regional vice president for the Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, said partnerships can create new ways to make international remittances more accessible and convenient for customers.

The partnership follows Western Union’s October 2025 launch of an upgraded mobile application in the Philippines featuring dual send-and-request capabilities.