A Frontliner’s Story: BANKING IN THE TIME OF CORONA

I was on a bank errand when I recognized one of the tellers at BDO SM North Edsa. It had been more than a decade since we last saw each other, but there was no mistaking the curls of her hair. It was definitely Charrie a college classmate from UST.

I waited for my turn and called her name to get her attention, she turned and smiled as she also recognized me. It was a very quick chat as there were still lots of people in line, but she told me to come back a bit later in the afternoon.

I did, and luckily caught her on her break. We chatted a bit more and she asked if I had an account there. I told her I was a frequent client, but still didn’t have my own BDO account because there was no branches near our house back then. I also told her I had no time to apply since I was always in a hurry and there were always lots of people at the new accounts section. She excused herself and came back with a depositor application form and asked me to fill it up. And just like that in less than half an hour I became a BDO depositor.

Its been more than 10 years since then and that consistently efficient, courteous and dependable service has made me a loyal BDO depositor. Its been my primary debit and credit card (Charrie was also the one who convinced me to apply for one), and the BDO Rewards card is always in my wallet.

Unfortunately, when I transferred work to Manila and later Makati, we saw each other less frequently. The last I heard was that she got promoted and transferred to a different branch. I had also been using the BDO app a lot more so I rarely went to a branch to do my banking.

However, because the announcement of the enhanced community quarantine was a bit sudden, I still had a couple of checks left to deposit. I also didn’t go out the first week, because our baranggay didn’t issue our quarantine pass yet, and had no idea which branches were still operating.

I decided to contact Charrie on via messenger to ask for updates and find out which BDO branches were still open. She told me that that they were operating in clusters to serve their clients and that there were 5 banks open per area. At that time, I had just met with another client near Cubao to pick up another check and luckily the nearby BDO Aurora Blvd Notre-Dame was open.

There was a line outside the bank, and I realized its been quite a while since I had to line up at the bank. Everybody was wearing a mask and observing social distancing. It took a few minutes before I reached entrance where manong guard was standing.

I started to make small talk asked him how they were they coping with the situation. He was OIC Pacia, and he told me that it was quite difficult especially for him since he had to sleep there the entire week and could only go home on Fridays., He said he lived quite far and that it would take him two hours to walk home if he couldn’t find a ride. Talk about sacrifice.

But kuya guard wasn’t the only one making the sacrifice. As I entered the bank and looked around, there still were lots of people inside–considering social distancing standards. But everyone in queue was quiet, waiting patiently and you could see each teller, each bank staff busy attending to the needs of every client trying to finish the transaction as efficiently as they can.

When it was my turn, I told the teller who assisted me that I was so impressed with their dedication, how they risked their health and safety everyday for their clients.

Her name as I saw on her ID was Jessa Ilagan, and she said they couldn’t do it without the entire team’s collective effort. “Team effort po ito. Iniisip namin na kung hindi kami papasok, paano yung mga maiiwan?”

I asked her if they were forced to report to work and she said no. “Hindi naman kami pinipilit pero mas pinili namin pumasok. Hanggat kaya papasok kahit dahil sa dami ng kliyente (not our usual everyday volume of clients) minsan malilipasan pa ng gutom and yun nga yung risk pa ng exposure sa virus. Dinadaan na lang namin sa smile habang nagta trabaho at dasal na sana di kami magkasakit.

Though I couldn’t see it because she was wearing a mask, you could hear it in her voice that she had no complaints and was just happy to help her clients.

“Sabi nga nung iba “martir” daw kami for risking our health, and our loved ones’ safety. Pero kasi iniisip din namin makapagbigay ng serbisyo sa mga clients namin. Todo hugas ng kamay at alcohol consistenntly lang, extra challenge pero hindi ko pagpapalit ang maging branch frontliner,” said Jessa

Indeed, despite the ability to transact online there are still some transactions that’s only possible by visiting a branch.

I joked they might be getting big incentives and bonuses, but she said a simple “thank you” and “ingat kayo dito” was enough to make them feel appreciated and “nakakawala na ng pagod.” She’s also thankful that a lot of their clients appreciate what they are doing for them.

I thanked her again after she was finished with my transaction and to express my gratitude I told her that I’d mention them in one of my blog posts to let people know that health workers aren’t the only ones in the frontlines.

Again a big Thank you to everyone at BDO Unibank Aurora Boulevard-Notre Dame. To their Branch head Gemma Felizardo, Ms. Carmi Valencia, AM-OPS, Cecil Mangaliman-Service officer, Emma Arciaga-MO, Maricris Hikayen-BA, the relievers from other banks Rochelle Rabe of BDO Edsa New York, Ariel Alcantara SM Hypermarket Cubao and Nina Ventura of P.Tuazon branch. Thank you also to the non-banking staff, messengers, as well as the security guards.

So when all of this is over, the next time you go to a bank and complain about the long lines, think of this time when they had to go to work despite the health risks just to “Find Ways” of serving you.

SAFER WAY TO BANK
Now, while banks remain open to service your banking needs of clients , BDO Unibank encourages the heightened use of online banking service to protect the public from the spread of the pandemic.

BDO has provided steps to guide its customers on how to sign-up for online banking. These are found on its official website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

With BDO Online Banking, customers can perform transactions such as Send Money, Pay Bills, Reload, and more.

Apart from online banking, BDO’s network of ATMs and Cash Accept Machines is always available for cash withdrawal, bills payment, and deposit.

How to bank online and at home https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/ebanking/online-banking

How to sign up for BDO Online Banking (YouTube Tutorial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADlUo8NWbtU

Share how to sign up for BDO Online Banking on Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/BDOUnibank/posts/2541550816061071?

Share about the features of BDO Online Banking on Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/BDOUnibank/posts/2541565119392974?