PNB supports employees, clients amid COVID-19 health emergency
PNB activates BCP to support businesses
Philippine National Bank (PSE: PNB), one of the country’s largest lenders, has released the 13th month pay to all its employees in all its offices around the country as it supports the well-being of its employees amid the emergency health crisis caused by COVID-19.
President and CEO Wick A. Veloso said, “We fully support the enhanced community quarantine. We hope that by releasing the 13th Month pay early, our employees will be encouraged to stay home during the entirety of the quarantine.”
Veloso also said the Bank triggered its business continuity plan (BCP) early. “We took immediate measures to limit the exposure of our employees to the virus. Our Information Technology Group has been busy enabling work-fromhome arrangements for our employees. Many employees were able to bring home their devices, allowing them to work securely and support customers of various business units of the Bank.”
As part of the BCP, a skeletal workforce was stationed at the PNB head office in Macapagal in Pasay City. Veloso says, “The dedication of Philnabankers is priceless. We understand the risks of having to work in this time of enhanced community quarantine and this is why we are giving a special daily allowance to each employee who reports to the office,” he says. “We have shortened their work hours so they can comply to the curfew. Our bank vehicles and transport providers are available to bring them to designated pick-up and dropoff points.”
The Bank recognizes that finances is a major concern during times of crisis. For employees’ physical health and peace of mind, PNB has agreed with its accredited health care provider to include COVID-19-related hospitalization expenses in employee’s health care coverage.
Veloso says “malasakit” or genuine concern for one another is one of PNB’s core values. “Our people are our most-valued resource and they are our partner in our success. Taking care of them goes beyond providing them with the skills, knowledge and productivity tools. For us in PNB, it also means protecting their welfare and that of their families.”
The veteran banker proudly shares how his fellow Philnabankers have demonstrated “malasakit” amidst the challenge. “Since public transportation is scarce during this time, some of our employees offer car rides to their officemates. There are also employees who volunteer their services at the PNB COVID-19 Command Center in Pasay. Some employees whose branches are temporarily closed offer help to PNB branches that are open.” He emphasizes, “Employees are enjoined to practice social distancing and proper hygiene at all times.”
Meanwhile, select PNB branches in key locations nationwide remain open. Veloso says, “In support of the enhanced community quarantine, we encourage our clients to use our online banking channels so that they stay home. For easier fund transfer, we waived the transaction fees for PESONet and InstaPay until April 15, 2020.”
To help customers look for open branches, PNB updates the status of its branches real-time. To view which branches are open, visit @PNBph on Facebook or the official website at www.pnb.com.ph.