Botim has integrated its digital services into the Philippines’ Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) program through an ongoing partnership with BDO Unibank.
The move targets the estimated 700,000 Filipinos working in the UAE, allowing them to activate digital wallets and access cross-border services before they relocate.
Throughout 2026, the seminars will be delivered across BDO Unibank’s nationwide network. The sessions provide structured briefings, financial literacy training, and on-the-spot onboarding for the Botim app.
The partnership shifts customer acquisition to the pre-departure phase. This gives Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) early access to a regulated platform for payments, remittances, credit, and savings.
The app also provides free voice and video calling, a core utility for the 10.8 million Filipinos living overseas.
By reaching workers before they leave, the initiative aims to reduce the friction of establishing financial foundations in a new country.
Early activation helps users build positive financial habits and access regulated financial services upon arrival.
“The UAE offers people the opportunity to work and build a better future for their families,”
said Hesham Sherif, VP of Remittance Business at Botim.
“By introducing Botim through the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar with BDO Unibank, we are helping the Filipino community navigate the UAE’s financial system with confidence.”
Sherif added that the platform allows users to begin building positive financial habits without many of the traditional barriers to saving and managing money.
Maria Lourdes A. Donato, VP and Head of Domestic Business Development at BDO Remittance, noted that the seminars prepare workers for life overseas.
“Introducing Botim in our sessions allows participants to get comfortable with a trusted and reliable digital platform before they leave, helping them feel more prepared as they embark on this new chapter,”
Donato said.
Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image by ragilzidanaputra via Magnific
