Davao City teacher's bills payment outlet among top Cebuana Lhuillier agents in Mindanao

A Davao City teacher and entrepreneur who started a bills payment outlet after the Covid-19 pandemic shut down his travel agency has become one of the top-performing retail agents in Mindanao for micro-financial firm Cebuana Lhuillier, according to the Daily Tribune.

Naprey Almario, who is also an advocate for persons with disabilities, joined the company's authorized agent program to find another source of income when his travel business stopped operating. He first opened a bills payment outlet because, the report said, payment centers were scarce in his area. He later added domestic and international remittances, micro-insurance and other retail services.

His business, the Almario Ticketing Office and Laundry Shop, became one of the leading agents in Mindanao in sales and transactions, and he was named a finalist in the company's Happiest Pinoy search. "While travel was on hold, it became my source of income," Almario said. He added that running the outlet gave him financial stability and a daily routine during the economic slowdown.

Cebuana Lhuillier said it now has more than 30,000 authorized agents across the country. Under the program, small business owners offer services such as remittances, utility bill payments, bank transfers, micro-insurance and mobile loading alongside their main business, earning extra income while serving areas with limited access to financial services.

Company president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier said local business growth creates opportunities for communities and brings essential financial services closer to more Filipinos. Senior executive vice president Philippe Andre Lhuillier said the company remains committed to supporting partner businesses by expanding its digital and retail network.