BHF Baguio Pawnshop, Inc., doing business under the name and style of BHF Gemline Center (hereinafter referred to as “BHF Baguio”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), is firmly committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of personal data entrusted to us. We comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and all relevant issuances of the National Privacy Commission (NPC).
This Data Privacy Statement describes in detail how we collect, use, process, store, protect, retain, and disclose personal data when individuals interact with us through:
- Physical Branches and Stores – Data collected through in person transactions, application forms, Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation, and pawnshop service agreements.
- Website – Information gathered during browsing, online inquiries, or submission of forms via our official website, including metadata such as IP addresses and browser details, which may be used for analytics and security monitoring.
- Official Social Media Platforms – Data shared through direct messages, comments, or interactions on our verified social media accounts, processed to respond to inquiries, provide updates, and maintain customer engagement.
- SMS, Mobile, and Email Communications – Personal data transmitted through text messages, mobile applications, and email correspondence, used for transaction confirmations, service notifications, and customer support.
- Internal Business Systems and Records – Data processed within our operational systems, including employee records, supplier information, CCTV footage, and transaction logs, maintained for legitimate business, regulatory, and security purposes.
We process personal data in a lawful, transparent, and proportionate manner, ensuring that collection and use are limited to what is necessary for:
- Legitimate business operations (customer service, transaction management, and organizational administration),
- Regulatory compliance (Know Your Customer, Anti Money Laundering, and other statutory obligations), and
- Security and risk management (fraud prevention, system protection, and safety monitoring).
1. Commitment to Privacy
BHF Baguio Group of Companies recognizes that the trust of our clients, employees, and stakeholders is built on the responsible handling of personal data. We therefore commit to:
- Confidentiality – Ensuring that personal data is accessed only by authorized personnel and used strictly for legitimate purposes.
- Integrity – Maintaining the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of personal data throughout its lifecycle.
- Availability – Implementing safeguards to ensure that personal data remains accessible for lawful and authorized use, while protecting it against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.
- Compliance – Adhering to all applicable data protection laws, regulations, and industry standards, and cooperating fully with the National Privacy Commission (NPC).
- Accountability – Upholding organizational responsibility for data privacy through policies, training, and continuous improvement of our data protection practices.
2. Definition of Terms
To ensure clarity in this Policy, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set out below:
- “Applicable Laws” – Refers to the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and any subsequent related legislation, laws, regulations, or issuances of the National Privacy Commission (NPC), as may be amended or updated from time to time.
- “Personal Data” or “Personal Information” – Any information, whether recorded electronically or otherwise, that can identify an individual. This includes, but is not limited to, name, contact details, address, date of birth, place of birth, government-issued identification numbers, photographs, biometric information, and transaction records. In line with the DPA, all Personal Data collected will be processed, stored, and secured responsibly to protect the rights of the individual.
- “Processing” – Any operation or set of operations performed upon Personal Data, whether automated or manual. This includes, but is not limited to, collection, recording, organization, storage, updating or modification, retrieval, consultation, use, consolidation, disclosure, blocking, erasure, destruction, and any other action involving the handling of Personal Data.
- “Data Subject” – Any individual whose Personal Data is collected, processed, or stored by BHF Baguio Pawnshop, Inc., doing business under the name and style of BHF Gemline Center.
- “Social Media” – Refers to BHF Gemline Center and BHF Pawnshop’s official accounts and pages on third-party platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other verified social media channels.
- “Service Provider” – Third-party entities engaged by BHF to provide services such as payment processing, shipping, IT support, and inventory management. Service Providers may have limited access to Personal Data strictly for the purpose of performing their functions on our behalf, and are contractually obligated not to disclose or use such data for any other purpose.
- “Third-Party Applications (Apps)” – Integrated add-ons or tools used on BHF’s platforms to gather information relating to customer behavior, analytics, or marketing purposes. These third parties may have restricted access to Personal Data solely to perform their functions and are bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations.
- “Website” – Refers to the official website of BHF Baguio Pawnshop, Inc., doing business under the name and style of BHF Gemline Center, accessible at https://bhfbaguio.com/.
- “Physical Stores” – The brick-and-mortar retail and pawnshop locations operated by BHF Baguio Pawnshop, Inc., doing business under the name and style of BHF Gemline Center.
- “BHF” – Refers collectively to BHF Baguio Pawnshop, Inc., doing business under the name and style of BHF Gemline Center, including its Gemline Centers and Pawnshop branches.
3. Service Description
BHF Baguio Pawnshop, Inc., doing business under the name and style of BHF Gemline Center operates a family of trusted brands and service outlets, including: BHF Gemline Center (SM City Baguio), BHF Gemline Center (Session Road), BHF Gemline Center (Bacolod), BHF Pawnshop Main (Session Road), BHF Pawnshop La Trinidad, BHF Pawnshop Bonifacio, BHF Pawnshop Kayang, BHF Pawnshop Leonard. Through these businesses, BHF may collect and process your Personal Data in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA) and applicable regulations.
Our services include, but are not limited to:
- Pawnshop Transactions – Accepting jewelry and other items for pawn, renewal of pawned items, and related financial services.
- Retail and Gemline Services – Providing jewelry, accessories, and other retail products through Gemline Centers.
- Customer Support and Inquiry Handling – Responding to inquiries made in store, online, or through social media and communication channels.
- Regulatory and Compliance Services – Implementing Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti Money Laundering (AML), and other statutory requirements.
- Operational and Security Services – Maintaining transaction records, CCTV monitoring, and internal business systems to ensure safety, accountability, and service quality.
NPC Seal of Registration — view official NPC registration certificate and seal.
