The Western Union Company, a global leader in money transfer services, has added 600 new locations since the start of the year strengthening its presence in the key municipalities of Manila, Cebu, Davao, Batangas and Cavite.

The additional 600 locations take the company’s impressive agent network to over 6,900 locations nationwide (as of August 2009). Among the 600 new locations, approximately there are100 flagship stores located in urban areas with high customer traffic, which will mean more counters and frontline associates facilitating quicker transaction time and more spacious and comfortable surrounds.

All of Western Union locations across the Philippines are equipped to offer customers the choice of peso or US dollar payout for international money transfers, a service offered since 2001. In addition, customers can also access formless transaction to further reduce transaction time.

“All of Western Union’s service enhancement strategies are about ensuring a better experience for our loyal customers,” says Patricia Riingen, senior vice president, Pacific and Indochina, The Western Union Company.

“Expanding our network is about giving our customers greater convenience of choosing locations that suit their schedule. Improving the look and feel of our locations is about making sure our customers are comfortable and their transactions are expedited in minimal time. Being the first to introduce peso and US dollar payout means we are sensitive to our customers’ exposure to the vagaries of currency movement. Introducing formless transactions is about make it easier for our regular customers to transact in the least amount of time,” said Ms. Riingen

“Our service enhancement is about reinforcing our core values of convenience, choice, reliability, and speed for our customers. It is in line with Western Union’s commitment and promise and it is simply captured by these words to our customers – ‘Kampante ka sa Western Union.’” “We continue to draw on our global experience combined with nearly two decades of local strength to ensure that we work with our agents to better understand and serve our consumers in order to deliver services that meet or exceed their needs,” she said.

Western Union services can be accessed from over 6,900 locations nationwide (as of August 2009). The company’s presence through its agent network since 1990 penetrates across cities, towns and rural areas making monetary transactions easier from within the Philippines and from 385,000 agent locations across 200 countries and territories worldwide.

The 600 Western Union locations were opened in the first half of the year with the new locations enhancing the presence in key areas of Manila, Cebu, Davao, Batangas and Cavite.

"Our over 6,900 location footprint means Western Union is represented in every major city and rural town, and even some barrio. We are there in nearly every place that our customers wish to send money to, whether that is from overseas or within the Philippines,” said Ms. Riingen.