Palawan Group wins dual HR awards in Singapore

SINGAPORE/BAGUIO CITY — The Palawan Group of Companies said it has secured back‑to‑back international honors in Singapore, underscoring its people‑first approach to human resources and workforce transformation.

In a press release, the company said it was named Winner of the Human Capital Management (HCM) Transformation Award at the SAP Customer Excellence Awards for Southeast Asia 2026, held Aug. 4 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. Palawan was the only Philippine organization recognized at the event.

The group added that on Aug. 3, it was also cited as one of Asia’s Best Employer Brands 2026 by the World HRD Congress during ceremonies at the Pan Pacific Singapore.

The award honors organizations across Asia that demonstrate excellence in HR strategy, leadership development, and future‑ready workforce transformation.

“These awards affirm our core belief that when an organization puts its people first, business success naturally follows,” said Korina Castro‑Fernando, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Palawan Group, in the release. “Our greatest asset is not our vast network. It is our passionate and dedicated employees. They consistently lead with competence, integrity, and Malasakit — a beautiful Filipino word for deep, genuine compassion.”

According to the company, the SAP award recognized Palawan’s implementation of SAP SuccessFactors, which modernized HR operations and delivered measurable improvements, including 88% time‑tracking adoption, 80% faster employee data updates, and payroll processing shortened by 1.5 days.

Performance goal completion rates exceeded 97%, while six major manual payroll reports were eliminated.

The employer brand award highlighted Palawan’s broader commitment to aligning HR strategy with business goals, developing talent, and building a workplace where employees can grow and lead meaningfully.

Founded with a single pawnshop in 1985, Palawan has grown into one of the Philippines’ largest financial services groups, operating Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, Palawan ProtekTODO, Palawan Credit, and PalawanPay.

“Technology will continue to evolve, but our purpose remains the same: to empower our people so they can serve with excellence,” Castro‑Fernando added. “Everything we do — whether investing in employees, strengthening systems, or expanding access to financial services — is ultimately for the people: our associates, our customers, and the communities we serve.”