Palawan ProtekTODO leverages digital platforms to make critical illness insurance more accessible to Filipinos
By Bob Reyes
As digital technology continues to reshape how Filipinos manage money, access services, and plan for the future, Palawan ProtekTODO Critical Illness Insurance is positioning itself at the intersection of fintech, insurtech, and everyday financial inclusion. By combining affordable insurance coverage with widely used digital and physical platforms, Palawan ProtekTODO demonstrates how technology can play a critical role in expanding access to essential financial protection.
ProtekTODO Critical Illness Insurance is designed to address one of the most pressing gaps in the Philippine insurance landscape: accessible coverage for serious health risks. The product provides protection against heart attack, stroke, and cancer — three illnesses consistently identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as among the leading causes of death in the country. Beyond their medical impact, these conditions often result in sudden financial strain, especially for families with limited savings or irregular income.
What sets ProtekTODO apart is its technology-enabled distribution model. Instead of relying solely on traditional insurance channels, the product is deeply integrated into the Palawan Group’s digital ecosystem. Filipinos can easily avail of coverage through the PalawanPay app, alongside familiar financial services such as remittances, payments, and digital wallets. This integration lowers the barrier to entry by placing insurance within platforms that users already trust and regularly use.
In addition to mobile access, ProtekTODO is also available through Palawan Pawnshop - Palawan Express Pera Padala branches nationwide and official e-commerce stores on Lazada and Shopee. This omnichannel approach reflects a growing trend in insurtech, where technology bridges the gap between online convenience and offline accessibility, ensuring that both digitally savvy users and those more comfortable with in-person transactions are included.
From a product design perspective, ProtekTODO prioritizes simplicity and transparency. Policyholders receive a 100% lump-sum cash benefit upon diagnosis, whether the illness is detected at an early or advanced stage. This cash-based model offers flexibility, allowing beneficiaries to allocate funds toward medical treatment, income replacement, or everyday household expenses during recovery. Coverage is available to Filipinos aged 18 to 60, with each policy providing one year of protection.
Affordability remains a core feature. The Basic Plan offers P50,000 in coverage for as low as P550 per year, while the Plus Plan provides P100,000 in coverage starting at P1,100 annually. Users may also purchase multiple policies, with a combined maximum benefit of up to P500,000. This modular approach mirrors digital subscription models, enabling customers to scale their protection over time based on their needs and financial capacity.
Behind the scenes, partnerships with insurance technology providers such as Oona enable Palawan ProtekTODO to deliver reliable underwriting, streamlined processes, and customer-centric product design. These collaborations highlight how traditional financial institutions and modern insurtech players can work together to modernize insurance delivery without sacrificing trust or reliability.
By simplifying insurance through digital tools, clear pricing, and accessible platforms, Palawan ProtekTODO addresses long-standing challenges associated with traditional insurance products, including complex terms, high premiums, and lengthy application processes. The result is a more inclusive model that aligns with how Filipinos increasingly use technology to manage their finances.