Duty-Free adds perks to OFWs, balikbayans

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Duty Free Philippines Corp.(DFPC) continues to prioritize overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and balikbayans as it offers new discounts to its top market segment.

In a statement, DFPC said OFWs and balikbayans will be entitled to a 10-percent discount on all regular priced items when they shop Duty Free Philippines Fiestamall on February 1 until March 14, 2020.

“We at DFPC would like to express our gratitude to our OFWs and balikbayans who have been our major market for the past 32 years,” DFPC chief operating officer Vicente Pelagio Angala said.

“In return for the sacrifices they have endured working in other countries to support their families, our Bagong Bayani deserves more benefits aside from their exclusive duty free shopping privilege,” he added.

DFPC said OFWs and balikbayans, need to avail or present their Balikbayan Plus Card upon registration along with their passports and any proof of their overseas employment (for OFWs) such as Seaman’s Record Book or OFW Electronic Identification Card.

The company earlier said OFWs and balikbayans along with Filipino tourists, remained DFPC’s top source market with a share of 85 percent in 2019.

Angala said earlier he is optimistic of further sales growth this year, as he sees double-digit sales growth in the first few weeks of January.

“We are still finalizing it but we are optimistic that will maintain our upward trajectory,” Angala said when asked of the company’s sales growth target this year.

DFPC reported earlier that 2019 sales grew four percent to $226 million from $217 million in 2018.

Without disclosing exact figures, DFPC said nationwide sales in the first three weeks of January are 15 percent higher than sales in the same period last year.

“DFPC welcomes the year with optimism that we will sustain our positive business performance,” Angala said.

“We aim to further expand our market reach with the opening of new duty free stores and expansion of our merchandise lineup,” he added.

Angala cited the opening a new Duty Free Store inside the Hilton Hotel in Clark by March or April as among the potential growth drivers for the company, as it will capitalize on the increasing number of international flights in Clark.

In June, DFPC signed a partnership with Dongwang Clark Corp.(DCC), the Philippine subsidiary of the Sun Valley Group of South Korea, to open a Duty Free outlet at the Hilton Sun Valley Resort inside Clark Freeport Zone.

DFPC is the country’s sole operator of the duty-and tax-free merchandising system. It is mandated to satisfy the duty-free shopping needs of international travelers including balikbayans and OFWs.