Moderator here. Please add your nationality to the post. Pensions have different rules in different countries.

Try calling PNB's main number, not the local branch. Ask whether you can link the passbook to their digital banking service. PNB has had wording about direct-deposit pension savings accounts being 'unlinked' from an ATM. As mentioned, different countries have different rules. Personally, I'd keep my foreign banking options and move money over as needed.

I've been here 18 years and have had bank accounts here for over 15. I've never even heard of having to physically go into a bank to move money into the debit account linked to your ATM card. I've always moved money between banks and accounts, paid bills, and paid for purchases all online. I go into an actual bank maybe once a year, if that. I'm from the US, by the way.

I have BDO and it's all online

Banks here tend to have some weird rules, like making you open a savings account before giving you a full current account. That might be what happened to you.