PH Embassy in Abu Dhabi Rolls-Out ‘Fast, Free, and Convenient’ Cashless Payments Through Fab’s E-Wallet Payit
Teacher Joana Marie Emata Tatoy, 27 (right) of Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi Western Region, is the first Filipino and client to ‘pay cashless’ at the Embassy through the digital wallet PayIt, for the registration of birth of her newborn daughter. She traveled and also transacted with the Embassy alone, carrying her baby on her own. While she brought physical cash to pay, she realized it fell short in covering the actual amount due. In around 5 minutes, she installed and registered a PayIt account, and swiftly paid after scanning the designated QR code at the cashier. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Alfonso A. Ver (center) witnessed the first successful transaction facilitated by Collecting Officer Ms. Rochelle Fajardo (left) on 13 June 2024.
ABU DHABI 02 July 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi PE) and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the United Arab Emirates’ largest bank in terms of total listed assets, jointly launched the digital wallet PayIt enabling cashless payment for Embassy transactions at the sidelines of the official commemoration of the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence hosted by Abu Dhabi PE.
PayIt powered by FAB operates like a typical e-wallet similar to the Philippines’ own G-Cash and Maya, and offers the following key benefits:
- Absolutely free – No additional fees, charges, or any costs for both clients and the Philippine Government;
- No third-party service provider, as FAB is the Embassy’s long-time depository bank;
- Clients do not need a bank account with FAB, and can still use any of their preferred banks to cash-in their PayIt accounts;
- Fully digital, fast, secure, and convenient mode of payment.
PayIt is the first fully featured digital wallet with over 750,000 users today, and its app is readily downloadable either from the App Store or Play Store, and any UAE resident with a valid Emirates ID can register for a PayIt account regardless of their preferred bank.
“This is part of the Embassy and the Philippine Government’s own efforts and commitment to streamline our services and processes for the public, our kababayan in Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates, as well as to align with the innovative, digital lifestyle for the 21st century here in the UAE which Filipinos are very much attuned,” said Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Alfonso A. Ver.
“Filipinos are already accustomed to using their smartphones to avail public services such as renewing visas, driving licenses, utility bills, etc. We hope that by providing an option for e-payment as a modern alternative to traditional cash, we are able to further contribute in improving and innovating our services for an overall pleasant client experience,” he added.
With such collaboration with the Embassy and the Filipino community, FAB is also delivering on its commitment to expand financial literacy and access to Filipinos – who are among the largest expatriate group in the UAE – through the digital wallet.
Ambassador Ver and FAB’s PayIt Digital Wallet Senior Vice President and Head Mr. Nitin Bhandari signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Embassy and FAB, which formally marked the strategic partnership between the two in order to provide digital payment solutions to Abu Dhabi PE’s mostly Filipino clients.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Embassy and FAB, and the subsequent joint launch also adds to the year-long activities and celebration of milestones marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UAE this year. END
(LEFT): Philippine Ambassador to the H.E UAE Alfonso A. Ver (left) and Senior Vice President & Head of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) PayIt Digital Wallet Mr. Nitin Bhandari (right) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 12 June 2024 as part of the official commemoration of the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence hosted by the Embassy in its Chancery. The signing was witnessed by KABAYAN Partylist Representative Ron Salo as Guest of Honor.
(RIGHT): Philippine Embassy officials, FAB representatives, and Rep. Salo formally launched the start of cashless transactions at the Philippine Embassy through the e-wallet PayIt powered by FAB.
For more information, visit https://www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/, https://twitter.com/PHinUAE or https://www.instagram.com/phinuae/.