MVP Group ramps up digitalization

MANILA, Philippines — The MVP Group of Companies is accelerating the digitalization of its various businesses to provide a more convenient customer experience and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The group’s telco business, through  PLDT and Smart, is urging subscribers to shift to paperless transactions and use expanded digital payment channels and online billing services, as well as  to enroll to receive electronic statements.

Customer payments via PLDT-Smart’s digital channels have jumped three-fold to date compared to last year as many parts of the country were placed under quarantine in mid-March.

Subscribers can use digital payments app PayMaya to pay their Smart postpaid bill or buy load for their devices. Smart postpaid customers can also pay their bills via the unique Smart Pay Express Link in their monthly billing SMS.

Customers can also enroll their postpaid account in their credit card’s auto-debit feature or use the bills payment services of their respective banks.

Meanwhile, customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) can opt to receive their monthly electric bills electronically instead of paper bills for accessibility, convenience and ease of payment.

With paperless billing, customers can access their monthly bills via email or through their Meralco Online account.

Meralco customers can pay their bills via Meralco Online, which was launched to allow customers to transact conveniently and digitally.

For Maynilad customers who wish to view their electronic statement of account, they can enroll in the company’s “My Water Bill” online portal.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., for its part, is transitioning to electronic toll collection system in compliance with the Department of Transportation’s directives.

Lanes on MPTC expressways in North Luzon, Central Luzon, and South Luzon are undergoing progressive conversion to make them RFID-enabled by November.

Around 75 percent of their lanes are already RFID-enabled.

Recently, the Philippine Arena toll plaza, Lawang Bato Northbound Entry, and expansion lanes in Balintawak and Bocaue toll plazas in NLEX have been converted into exclusive RFID lanes.

CALAX also opened 100 percent RFID interchanges in Laguna Boulevard and Laguna Technopark in Biñan City, Laguna.

“As we help build the new normal, we also continue to look for ways to serve our customers better. Minimizing face-to-face interactions, particularly in payments, not only helps curb the virus, but also facilitates smooth, seamless and convenient customer experience,” MVP group chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.