SMART Communications aims to create digital hubs with sari-sari stores through Smart Padala money remitting services in order to help increase the income of local households.

Smart Padala channel development officer Rolando “Butch” Conejos underscored the importance of using technology as a medium in strengthening the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Mindanao. Smart Padala is eyeing to partner with over 3,000 Mindanawons.

“Ito po ay tulong na ginagawa natin sa mga may-ari ng mga sari-sari store upang maka dagdag sa kanilang kinikita (This is to help for our sari-sari store owners earn more),” Conejos said in a press conference on Tuesday, November 27, at Rekado Filipino Cuisine Restaurant.

Smart Padala is a mobile money remittance service under PayMaya Philippines, the digital financial services arm of Voyager Innovations. With your Smart money card, one could transfer money to another Smart or Talk ‘N Text using the Smart Menu in your phone one could even pay bills, and shop online.

Conejos added with sari-sari store owners partnering with Smart through Smart Padala, they can earn more than P10,000 in a month.

Conejos said by maximizing money remittance technology use in Mindanao, will allow Mindanawons better adapt to the digital age.

Conejos added with the digital hubs through the interaction of Smart Padala, Mindanao is gearing towards a cashless transaction.

“Syempre accessibility talaga ang gusto namin through this digital hubs (Of course, accessibility is what we want through these digital hubs),” Conejos said, adding as long as the company can provide signal in Mindanao it can have an efficient access of money remitting services.