SOAR Phoenix Rising - Phoenix Petroleum Philippines

Phoenix stations now
Western Union agents
Three Phoenix dealers share their experience of offering a value-added service
To some, a Phoenix station
is simply a gas station. To
others, it provides more
than that. A Phoenix station
becomes the center of a range of
services for customers. A recent
partnership between Phoenix
Petroleum and i-PCV, a Western
Union agent, now includes money
transfer as an added service for
Phoenix dealers, customers, and the
community.
i-PCV is a subsidiary of publiclylisted
IPVG and the youngest
Western Union direct agent to date.
Since acquiring its license in 2010,
i-PCV now has more than 400 subagents
in their network.
“Our aim is to partner with
reputable businesses that cater
to the provincial and generally
underserved remittance market,
and have the capability to offer
better customer service than the
usual remittance service provider,”
says i-PCV President Mr. Alejandro
James Chiongbian.
“This means offering longer
service hours than banks and
pawnshops, at more convenient
locations, in safe and clean
environments.”
Phoenix Petroleum, with 180
stations to date, was a logical
choice to partner with. “The
company has a clear direction
in supporting non-fuel related
products as a driver to increase
vehicular traffic into the stations,”
says Chiongbian.
They also took note of Phoenix
Petroleum’s geographical
expansion strategy. “The towns
where the gas stations are situated
are high potential growth areas for
the remittance industry.”
16 / SOAR PHOENIX April-June 2011
Phoenix Petroleum has partnered with i-PCV, a subsidiary of publicly
listed IPVG and a direct agent of Western Union, to offer money remittance
service to Phoenix dealers and customers. Phoenix President Dennis Uy
and IPVG CEO Enrique Y. Gonzalez formalize the partnership on March
2010. With them are (from left), PPPI Brand & Marketing Manager Jay
Delloso, AVP for External Affairs & HR Atty. Raymond Zorrilla, COO Romy
de Guzman, I-PCV President Alejandro James A. Chiongbian, and i-PCV
VP Sales & Marketing Hazel S. Laigo.
Since 2010 when the
partnership between Phoenix and
i-PCV began, 15 Phoenix dealers
now offer Western Union services
at their stations, all the way from
Cotabato in Mindanao to Cagayan
Valley in Northern Luzon.
For Phoenix Western Union
agents, i-PCV and Phoenix provide
marketing support through the
basic marketing kit and additional
signage.
i-PCV also handles the
paperwork required by various
government bodies. They can
also coordinate with internet
service and insurance providers,
depending on the dealer’s need.
“The performance of the
Phoenix stations as WU agents
is very encouraging,” says
Chiongbian.
“In fact, one of the top
performers in the network is from
Phoenix. i-PCV is very proud of this,
and we hope that more dealers will
see the value in offering remittance
services at their stations.”
Phoenix Upi, Maguindanao has the lone
Western Union outlet in their town
Queen Phoenix
Gas Station
Upi,
Maguindanao
Mr. Mario Debolgado opened
his Phoenix station in Upi,
Maguindanao on July 18, 2008.
He also buys and sells agricultural
products and manages a
convenience store.
Seeing that there was no bank
and money gram in their town of
Nuro, Debolgado saw the need to
offer money transfer services to
residents, especially those with
OFWs in the family.
He opened a Western
Union outlet at his
Phoenix station on
February 2011.
He says agents
have to be ready. “We
must be prepared
everyday to meet the
needs of our clients,
especially remittances
from abroad.”
Aside from
the additional
income, Debolgado
appreciates being
able to offer a
necessary and
convenient service to
his community.
“Remittances from
abroad enter directly
here. It improves the
economy because
more money
circulates in the
town.”