As Gold Prices Soar, More Filipinos See its Value

In August of 2020, business tycoon Warren Buffett bought shares in the Canadian mining company Barrick Gold Corp., reinforcing the value of gold, whose price soared above $2,000 per troy ounce, in the world market. This shows that despite the ongoing global pandemic, the value of gold continues its upward trend.

Chamber of Pawnbrokers of the Philippines, Inc.(CPPI) President, Jean Henri Lhuillier knows the value of gold, all too well, proving how valuable this rare metal is and why Filipinos should realize its importance as a good investment asset.

“Gold remains to be one of the best commodities to invest on because it is a highly liquid asset. There is always a strong local and global market demand for gold and besides this, owning gold also acts as a hedge against inflation and even deflation, because its price tends to rise when the cost of living increases,” said Lhuillier.

Globally, gold has always been seen as a good store of value, evidenced by the fact that people buy gold especially when the local currency is losing value. Whenever a currency loses its purchasing power due to inflation, gold is normally priced using those same currency units, thus its value increases, along with everything else.

”Locally, more and more people have been investing in gold and jewelry. In fact, this is further evidenced by the overwhelming response of agrowing number of jewelry online selling channels particularly in social media including the buying of foreclosed or what is locally termed as “naremata”  items from pawnshops, and then sold via FB Live selling, done by various groups and individuals in the country,” added Lhuillier.

Rematado Sale: A big hit among common Filipino consumers

Based on the actual inventory of Cebuana Lhuillier’s foreclosed jewelry, the number of Filipinos who has been buying these items are growing.  In fact, even during the quarantine period, the number of buyers significantly increased.

“More and more people are now seeing the value of jewelry and gold, for that matter, as good assets to have, especially during times like this. You would be surprised at the types of jewelry being pawned off. Some are even heirloom pieces and sold at very good prices,” shared Lhuillier..

Aside from it being affordable, pawnshops also provide easy accessibility as they remained open all-throughout the quarantine period being an essential service.

Pawnshops also provide easy acquisition options for clients such as a lay-away program as well as a re-pawn scheme.

These “rematado” sales in pawnshops has led to a shift in the perception of jewelry, from being only high value and inaccessible to many, to being affordable and accessible to most.

Online Jewelry Selling: A welcome option to the market

Aside from rematado selling in branches, pawnshops have likewise started online jewelry selling and the reception from clients has been quite astounding. It has even unraveled new markets like millennials, who did not used to invest in gold or jewelry previously.

Moving with the necessity of the times, pawnshops are now utilizing the use of social media sites like Facebook to sell rematado jewelry. In fact, as much as 10,000 people have tuned in to previously held FB Live sessions where items are sold out within the first hour.

“This move to enable clients to purchase gold online is very timely since a lot of people are looking to invest on something that appreciates over time, and gold and jewelry is one of them. Social media has definitely made it more accessible for clients, not to mention, safer and convenient for everyone,” claimed Lhuillier.

The wonderful reception of clients to online rematado selling, shows that while retail-based jewelry business is declining because of the current situation, more and more people are now finding ways to acquire and invest in gold and jewelry because of the timely initiative of CPPI-member pawnshops in making use of social media, which has not only benefited them but also their customers.

CORPORATE AGENT PARTNERS

  • ACTION.ABLE, INC.
  • ALL ACCESS GATEWAY INC.
  • ANTRECCO (AGUSAN DEL NORTE TEACHERS, RETIREES, EMPLOYEES & COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE)
  • ACM VIP
  • ALL CASH
  • AGRILIFE/ AGRIVET
  • ASENSO PINOY STORE, INC. (EASY DAY SHOP)
  • AVICOM ENTERPRISES
  • AYALA ALABANG VILLAGE ASSOCIATION
  • BAUG CARP MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • BAGUIO BENGUET COOP
  • CARD BANK INC
  • CARD MRI RIZAL BANK INC
  • CARD SME BANK
  • CARITAS BANCO NG MASA, INC.
  • CEBU PEOPLE’S MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • CIS BAYAD CENTER, INC
  • COOPERATIVE BANK OF BOHOL, INC
  • COUNTRY BUILDERS BANK
  • CREDENCE FINANCING, INC.
  • CURAMED PHARMACY
  • DALTON PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY INC.
  • DANIELA PAWNSHOP
  • DIRECT AGENT 5 (DA 5)
  • DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILS.
  • EXPRESSPAY INC.
  • EVRIJEM FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND MONEY REMITTANCE
  • FILHAI MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • GLOBAL PINOY REMITTANCE AND SERVICES (GPRS)
  • GEMARY PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY (CORP.)

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

  • 123 FINANCE CORPORATION
  • 123 LENDING CORPORATION
  • 2C2P
  • 8AMC (VIA ECPAY)
  • ABEJO WATERS CORP.
  • ABRA
  • ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION
  • ACTIVE REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
  • ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (VIA ECPAY)
  • AEON CREDIT SERVICE
  • AETERNITAS CHAPELS AND COLUMBARIUM (VIA ECPAY)
  • AFC SME FINANCE INC
  • AFTERWEST MICROLOANS INC
  • AGODA – DRAGONPAY
  • AGRIBANK
  • AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF THE PHILS.
  • AGUSAN DEL NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • AIR YOU GO TRAVELS PHILIPPINES CO.
  • AKLAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • ALAMINOS CITY WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • ALLIANZ PNB LIFE INSURANCE INC.
  • ALPHA FUND SAVINGS & CREDIT COOPERATIVE (VIA ECPAY)
  • AMADEO WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • AMYA POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE, INC. AND FINANCING CORPORATION (LENDPINOY)
  • ANGAT WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • ANGELES ELECTRIC COMPANY ANGELICUM SCHOOL , INC. ILOILO CITY (VIA ECPAY)
  • ANJELMAN REAL ESTATE LEASING
  • ANTIQUE ELECTRIC COOP, INC ANTRECCO (BILLS PAYMENT)

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

  • 123 FINANCE CORPORATION
  • 123 LENDING CORPORATION
  • 2C2P
  • 8AMC (VIA ECPAY)
  • ABEJO WATERS CORP.
  • ABRA
  • ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION
  • ACTIVE REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
  • ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (VIA ECPAY)
  • CREDIT SERVICE
  • AETERNITAS CHAPELS AND COLUMBARIUM (via ECPAY)
  • AFC SME FINANCE INC
  • AFTERWEST MICROLOANS INC
  • AGODA – DRAGONPAY
  • AGRIBANK
  • AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF THE PHILS.
  • AGUSAN DEL NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • AIR YOU GO TRAVELS PHILIPPINES CO.
  • AKLAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • ALAMINOS CITY WATER DISTRICT (via ECPAY)
  • CREDENCE FINANCING, INC.
  • CURAMED PHARMACY
  • DALTON PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY INC.
  • DANIELA PAWNSHOP
  • DIRECT AGENT 5 (DA 5)
  • DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILS.
  • EXPRESSPAY INC.
  • EVRIJEM FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND MONEY REMITTANCE
  • FILHAI MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • GLOBAL PINOY REMITTANCE AND SERVICES (GPRS)
  • GEMARY PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY (CORP.)

List of Accepted Government/ Valid IDs

  • Passport
  • Driver’s License
  • Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
  • National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
  • Police Clearance
  • Postal ID
  • Voter’s ID
  • Philippine Identification (PhilID) card
  • Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
  • Social Security System (SSS) ID
  • Senior Citizen’s ID
  • Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
  • OFW ID
  • Seaman’s Book
  • Alien Certification of Registration (ACR)
  • Barangay Certificate or ID (with picture and signature)
  • Birth Certificate (applicable to minors only)
  • Firearm License
  • Immigrant Certificate of Registration
  • Marriage License
  • National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
  • New TIN ID
  • OWWA ID
  • Student ID
  • Alien Certification of Registration (ACR) / Immigrant Certificate of Registration
  • Government Office or Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ID (e.g. AFP ID, HDMF (Pag-ibig Fund) ID, etc.
  • Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
  • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
  • Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID (IBP)
  • Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) or IC (Insurance Commission)

IDs Accepted

As required by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), clients who engage in a financial transaction with covered institutions for the first time shall be required to present the original and submit a clear copy of at least ONE (1) valid photo-bearing identification document issued by an official authority. For our clients’ convenience, Cebuana no longer requires submission of the photocopied ID. IDs are captured using a webcam in all branches. Clients are also required to submit an updated photo and other relevant information whenever the need for it arises.

Forms of identification accepted are the following;

  1. Passport
  2. Driver’s License
  3. Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID
  4. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
  5. Police  Clearance
  6. Postal ID
  7. Voters ID
  8. Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  9. Barangay Clearance
  10. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
  11. Social Security System (SSS) Card
  12. Senior Citizen ID Card
  13. Overseas Woekers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
  14. OFW ID
  15. Seaman’s Book
  16. Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)/ Immigrant Certificate of Registration
  17. Government office and GOCC ID (eg. AFP, HDMF?Pag-ibig Fun IDs
  18. Certification from the National Council in Disability Affairs (NCDA)
  19. ID issued by the National Council on Disability (NCDA)
  20. DSWD Certification
  21. Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
  22. Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP, SEC or IC
  23. Philippine Health Insurance Card ng Bayan
  24. School ID signed by the principal or head of educational institution
  25. National ID/Philippines Identification Card (PhilID)
  26. Philippine Identification Card (PhilID) issued by Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA)
  27. Unified Multi-Purpose IS (UMID)