(Top photo) Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale Corvera (7th from left) and LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (8th from left) lead the ceremonial awarding of ACEF loans to palay farmer Agapito A. Bacalso Sr. (5th from right) and corn farmer Violita T. Prandas (4th from right) during the LANDBANK Financial Inclusion Forum in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte attended by more than 600 small farmers (lower photo). Also introduced during the program was Baug CARP Beneficiaries MPC as the Bank’s Agent Banking Partners in Las Nieves, led by General Manager Luxmi Auxillo (5th from left). Joining them are Las Nieves Mayor Avelina Rosales (9th from left), Vice Mayor Larry Bautista (6th from left), and LANDBANK officials led by Branch Banking Sector Head EVP Joselito Gutierrez (3rd from left), Mindanao Lending Group Head FVP Charlotte I. Conde (2nd from left), East Mindanao Branches Group Head FVP Camilo C. Leyba (rightmost), and CARAGA Lending Center Head Department Manager Linbert Fajunio (leftmost).
LAS NIEVES, Agusan del Norte – For most residents of this 2nd class municipality in the northern part of the province, farming and fishing has been the way of life for its close to 30,000 residents, with the nearest banks and financial institutions still two hours away from the nearby cities of Bayugan and Butuan.
Las Nieves is one of the country’s 536 cities and municipalities out of 1,634 that have remained unbanked according to the 2017 Financial Inclusion Survey of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
This year, it is one of eight municipalities where Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is launching its Agent Banking Program, which will provide the public with basic banking transactions such as Point-of-Sale (POS) cash-out, prepaid card sale, card reload/card refund/withdrawal, balance inquiry, and bills payment.
Through partnerships with client cooperatives, associations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and private entities, LANDBANK’s Agent Banking Program is targeted to further expand its reach in remote and unbanked areas without the Bank’s presence.
During LANDBANK’s 5th Financial Inclusion (FI) Forum for 2019 here last October 12, 2019, the Bank formally introduced the Baug CARP Beneficiaries MPC (BCBMPC) as its first Agent Banking Partner in Las Nieves.
Launched in 2016, and now on its fourth year run, the half-day forum, dubbed “Ipon at Kabuhayan para sa ating Kababayan,” gathered more than 600 attendees, majority of whom are farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
“This is part of LANDBANK’s efforts in bringing our products and services closer to the countryside. With this campaign, we hope to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos, particularly the small farmers and fishers, and their families, who are in dire need of financial support for their agricultural livelihood activities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
BCBMPC started as an association of small fishers of shrimps and crabs in 1987. By 1995, they were officially recognized by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as an ARB-cooperative with 110 members. They were first granted a production loan by LANDBANK on October 12, 1998.
And exactly 21 years later, on October 12, 2019, LANDBANK has now partnered with BCBMPC as the Bank’s Agent Banking Partner in Las Nieves under the Agent Banking Program. The Cabadbaran City-based cooperative now boasts of 20,000 coop members, with total assets of P700 million.
The LANDBANK FI Forum is an initiative of the Bank in line with its financial inclusion thrust of serving unbanked communities across the country. Since its launch, LANDBANK has helped bring over 10,000 underserved Filipinos under the umbrella of formal financial services from 28 municipalities.
Las Nieves is the 5th stop of the FI Forums this year. A total of 3,252 farmers and fishers have already participated in the first five areas of the FI Forums namely, Sto. Niño, Cagayan; Rizal, Palawan; Libacao, Aklan; and Aloguinsan, Cebu. FI Forums will also be conducted in Mayantoc, Tarlac; Claveria, Misamis Oriental; and Polillo Islands, Quezon within the year.
During the event, LANDBANK featured modules on financial literacy to help farmers improve their income through the proper management of finances, as well as Bank products and services, particularly its direct lending programs for farmers.
These programs include the Accessible Funds For Delivery to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (AFFORD-ARBs), the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF), and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
At the same time, BCBMPC received a ceremonial check from LANDBANK in the amount of Php200 million representing its loan from the Bank for relending to small farmers and fishers.
Joining LANDBANK President Borromeo at the event were Agusan del Norte Governor Dale B. Corvera, Las Nieves Mayor Avelina S. Rosales, LANDBANK Executive Vice President for Branch Banking Sector Joselito P. Gutierrez, East Mindanao Branches Group Head First Vice President Camilo C. Leyba, Mindanao Lending Group Head First Vice President Charlotte I. Conde, CARAGA Lending Center Head Department Manager Linbert Fajunio, and Butuan Branch Head Department Manager Augustus Manuel E. Mantua.
Meanwhile, farmers who availed of the ACEF loan program were also recognized during the event, namely Agapito A. Bacalso Sr. (palay production) and Violita T. Prandas (corn production).
LANDBANK backs bulk of ₱100-B PSALM power loan
PSALM President and CEO Dennis Edward A. Dela Serna (3rd from left), LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (2nd from left), and DBP President and CEO Michael O. de Jesus (rightmost) lead the ceremonial signing for the ₱100-billion syndicated loan for PSALM, witnessed by Government Corporate Counsel Judge Solomon M. Hermosura (leftmost). QUEZON CITY — In support of the National Government's fiscal sustainability and energy sector reform efforts, LANDBANK is extending majority of a ₱100-billion Syndicated Term Loan Facility to the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM). LANDBANK as one of the Joint Lead Arrangers and Lenders, committed ₱60 billion or 60% of the total syndicated term loan facility. The proceeds of the facility will be used to augment PSALM’s working capital requirements, refinance existing liabilities, and settle domestic contractual obligations. PSALM President and CEO Dennis Edward A. Dela Serna, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, and DBP President and CEO Michael O. de Jesus signed the syndicated loan facility agreement on 17 July 2025. The signing was witnessed by Government Corporate Counsel Judge Solomon M. Hermosura. "We are honored to be part of this important milestone, alongside our partners in government and development finance. This transaction reflects our collective resolve to strengthening the Philippine power sector — an industry that is fundamental to shaping the future of our economy and uplifting the lives of every Filipino,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. LANDBANK and DBP acted as the Joint Lead Arrangers for the syndicated deal, with LANDBANK – Trust Banking Group as the Facility and Paying Agent, and the Officer of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) as the Transaction Counsel. The loan will support PSALM fulfill its mandate under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), which includes the management, privatization, and optimal liquidation of the remaining assets and financial obligations of the National Power Corporation. LANDBANK has been a steadfast partner of PSALM since 2008, consistently providing essential financing in support of its programs. The Bank also remains a key player in advancing the country’s energy agenda, financing major players in the industry including large oil companies, power producers, and distribution utilities, as part of its role as reliable enable of national development. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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LANDBANK backs PNP retirees in streamlining pensions
Streamlining PNP Pensions: PNP Chief of Police General Nicolas Torre III (5th from left) and LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (4th from left) lead the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to streamline the disbursement of pension and other retirement benefits for retired police personnel, held on 14 August 2025 at the PNP National Headquarters in Quezon City. Joining them from LANDBANK are Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron (3rd from left), Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca (2nd from left), First Vice President Atty. Nikkolas B. Tolentino (6th from left), Vice President Hansen W. Chu (rightmost), and Assistant Vice President Marissa A. Garduque (leftmost). QUEZON CITY – Committed to delivering accessible and efficient banking services, LANDBANK has been tapped anew by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to simplify pension processing for retiring police personnel. Under this collaboration, active PNP personnel can now continue using their existing LANDBANK payroll accounts as their pension accounts upon retirement. This eliminates the need to open a separate account, saving time, reducing paperwork, and ensuring uninterrupted receipt of benefits for about 250 new PNP pensioners each month. “As the PNP’s depository bank, LANDBANK is honored to be your steadfast partner in making your financial operations more seamless and efficient. We provide a full range of traditional and digital banking solutions to support your needs, while serving the salaries and benefits of over 230,800 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel, and around 80,000 pensioners nationwide,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The signing of the amended and restated Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was led by PNP Chief of Police General Nicolas Torre III and LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. Present as witnesses were Police Brigadier General Jonas Amparo and Police Brigadier General Marlou Roy Alzate, alongside LANDBANK Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron, Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca, and Vice President Hansen W. Chu on 14 August 2025 at the PNP National Headquarters. In line with the National Government’s digitalization drive, LANDBANK is likewise encouraging the PNP to expand the use of the Bank’s Link.BizPortal for fee collections. As of June 2025, the Link.BizPortal has processed 2.9 million PNP transactions, with more than 2.85 million for police clearances. As PNP’s longstanding partner, LANDBANK continues to provide payroll servicing, fund transfers, bills payment, and investment facilities, as well as other digital and traditional banking services, to help the agency perform its mandate of maintaining peace and order and ensuring public safety. About LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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TANYAG and Proud: LANDBANK at 62 honors champions of nation-building
To mark 62 years of meaningful public service, LANDBANK recently honored its outstanding clients and partners who have been instrumental in delivering essential financial and support services nationwide. The inaugural LANDBANK Gawad TANYAG (Tanging Yaman at Galing) Awards held on 8 August 2025 celebrated the Bank’s clients who have made an impact in communities and models of operational excellence, which include individual farmers and fishers, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), corporations and large enterprises, countryside financial institutions (CFIs), and microfinance institutions (MFIs). “Sa bawat kwento ninyo, nakikita ko ang hinaharap na hinahangad nating lahat: isang Pilipinas na mas mayaman sa oportunidad, masagana sa pag-asa — kaya’t maraming salamat po sa pagpapatunay na ang tagumpay ay hindi lamang monopolya ng iilan, na ang pag-asenso ay puwedeng makamit ng bawat mamamayan,” said Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chairman Ralph G. Recto in a statement. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz led the awarding ceremony to honor exemplary clients who embody the Bank’s core values of partnership, loyalty, and excellence. She was joined by Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro, alongside key development partners. “Through Gawad TANYAG, we honor the invaluable contributions of our clients who help move our nation forward. This is our way of celebrating partnerships that go beyond banking — partnerships rooted in trust, shared purpose, and the pursuit of meaningful change,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. Under the Gawad PITAK (Pinakatanging Kooperatiba) category, the Hagonoy Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Panabingan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Nueva Ecija Seed Grower Multi-Purpose Cooperative were recognized as outstanding agri-based cooperatives in the small, medium, and large categories, respectively. The ASKI Employees Credit Cooperative and Providers Multi-Purpose Cooperative were also honored under the non-agricultural cooperative category. Individual excellence was highlighted through the Ulirang Magsasaka award conferred to Alfonso Namujhe Jr. of Nueva Vizcaya, and the Ulirang Mangingisda award bestowed to Agrifina A. Gabres of Aurora. “Napakalaking tulong ng LANDBANK. Noong mag-umpisa kami, walang bangko na gustong tumulong sa amin. LANDBANK lang ang naniwala. My dad started the spark, and LANDBANK fueled it. The citrus industry of Nueva Vizcaya owes it to LANDBANK,” said Josephine Namujhe, who received the award on behalf of her father. The Gawad MSME was awarded to Jose Fernand Latog and Jollypig Farms, Inc. for the small and medium agri-based enterprises, respectively. Meanwhile, Spouses Patrick Mary and Rodary Therese Guanzon, and Spouses Mary Jeanette and Michael Anthony Bercadez were recognized under the small and medium non-agri enterprise categories, respectively. The Gawad KAAGAPAY (Korporasyon na KAagapay sa Ating GAnap na TagumPAY) was conferred to Soliman E.C. Septic Tank Disposal, Fiesta Communities, Inc., and Cebu Landmasters, Inc. for their significant contributions as corporations and large enterprises in stimulating local economic growth. “With the support of LANDBANK, we are very grateful that we have a partner in providing homes for our kababayans and empowering the Filipino people,” said Willie Tan, Founder and President of Fiesta Communities, Inc. Rural Bank of Angeles, Producers Savings Bank Corporation, First Isabela Cooperative Bank, and ASA Philippines Foundations, Inc. were recognized with the Gawad PFI (Partner Financial Institution) for their exceptional performance under the rural bank, thrift bank, and microfinance categories, respectively. The complete list of Gawad TANYAG awardees can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/356a3ezb LANDBANK is celebrating its 62nd anniversary marking 62 meaningful years of advancing growth, financial inclusion, and sustainability through responsive and impactful banking services. About LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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