Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) bagged two awards for its outstanding development projects on climate financing and digital account opening at the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) Development Awards 2020.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Program of the state-owned bank was adjudged as the winner under the Environmental Development category, while its Digital Onboarding System (DOBS) was bestowed with a Merit Award under the Technology Development category.
The awards were presented to LANDBANK during the 43rd ADFIAP Virtual Annual Meeting held on October 28-29, 2020.
“We at LANDBANK always strive to go the extra mile in fulfilling our mission of delivering timely and responsive financial support services to our clients, while promoting sustainable development and environmental protection. This recognition inspires us to constantly do more and work harder,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
The Bank’s GCF Program is an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement, dedicated to supporting global efforts to respond to the challenge of climate change.
The program aims to help developing countries limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate change by supporting programs and projects that promote a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate-resilient development.
LANDBANK is the first and only Direct Access Entity (DAE) to the GCF in the country, and one of 76 worldwide. As a DAE, LANDBANK has the mandate to oversee, manage, monitor, and channel financing to GCF-approved projects within the Philippines’ priority projects.
In November 2019, LANDBANK successfully worked for the approval of the country’s first GCF project, the Multi-Hazard Impact-Based Forecasting and Early Warning System. The project aims to reduce the exposure of vulnerable communities to climate-induced hydrometeorological hazards, strengthen their absorptive and adaptive capacities, and implement long-term climate risk reduction and adaptation measures.
LANDBANK’s DOBS is a web application that reduces account opening time from 30 minutes to only 10 minutes. It also simplifies the account enrolment process for individuals and institutional clients.
Opening an account through DOBS allows automatic enrollment to LANDBANK iAccess for internet banking, the LANDBANK Mobile App for convenient banking transactions through smartphones, and the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal for payment of bills, products and services to the enrolled merchants.
The DOBS is in line with LANDBANK’s thrust of promoting financial inclusion among farmers and fishers, as well as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), by providing them with an additional access point for their banking needs.
From November 2018 to end of September 2020, a total of 1,039,926 accounts were opened via DOBS. Of this figure, 492,156 accounts were opened in the first nine months of the year, including the 11,972 accounts in the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank), the Bank’s digital-only branchless bank subsidiary.
The full implementation of DOBS in January 2019 has helped reduce lobby traffic in LANDBANK branches.
The ADFIAP Development Awards is an annual awards ceremony that honors ADFIAP members who have contributed significantly to the development of their respective countries. It started in 1997 when the association hosted the “Summit on Development Finance” in the Philippines.
LANDBANK expands reach in Negros Occidental with new one-stop hub
KABANKALAN CITY, Negros Occidental – State-run LANDBANK has strengthened its presence in Southern Negros with the opening of the Negros Occidental South Corporate Center in Kabankalan City, highlighting the Bank’s commitment to accessible and inclusive financial services. The new facility will serve as a one-stop hub for farmers, fishers, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local government units (LGUs), and private depositors from the cities of Kabankalan, Sipalay, and Himamaylan, and the municipalities of Ilog, Cauayan, Candoni, Hinoba-an, Hinigaran, and Binalbagan. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Negros Occidental 6th District Representative Mercedes K. Alvarez led the inauguration ceremony on 29 October 2025, joined by Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie M. Miranda and Vice Mayor Divina Gracia S. Miranda, Candoni Mayor Ray R. Ruiz, Sipalay City Mayor Maria Gina M. Lizares, other local partners, and LANDBANK senior officials. “Today’s inauguration of the LANDBANK Negros Occidental South Corporate Center reaffirms our deep commitment to stand with Kabankalan and the entire Negros Occidental. This new facility strengthens our presence in Saouthern Negros — so that together, we can continue providing every Negrense with better, more efficient, and more inclusive financial services,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (middle) and Negros Occidental 6th District Representative Mercedes K. Alvarez (3rd from left) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inauguration of the LANDBANK Negros Occidental South Corporate Center on 29 October 2025 in Kabankalan City. They are joined by Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie M. Miranda (rightmost), Vice Mayor Divina Gracia S. Miranda (2nd from right), Sipalay City Mayor Maria Gina M. Lizares (3rd from right), Candoni Mayor Ray R. Ruiz (2nd from left), and LANDBANK First Vice President Vivian M. Cañonero (leftmost). A new home for “phygital” banking Located along Justice JY Perez Highway, the center houses the upgraded LANDBANK Kabankalan Branch — the first “phygital” branch in Negros Occidental, with modern facilities and ample space that offers a comfortable environment for clients and staff. It combines physical and digital banking, featuring LEA (LANDBANK Easy Access) for paperless queuing, the LANDBANK Digital Online Banking System (DOBS) for faster account opening, four ATMs, a cash deposit machine, and meeting pods for client consultations. Expanding access to development financing The second floor hosts the LANDBANK Negros Occidental South Lending Center, offering easier access to loans and credit assistance, eliminating the need to travel to Bacolod City. Other LANDBANK units such as the Loan Operations Field Unit (LOFU), Field Support Services Center (FSSC), and Field Legal Services (FLS) are also housed in the building to provide integrated services. LANDBANK currently operates 16 branches, two lending centers, 76 ATMs, four CDMs, and 51 LANDBANKasama partners in Negros Occidental, plus 80 ATMs in 7-Eleven stores where customers can withdraw cash free of charge. 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 aids recovery of quake-affected communities in Davao and Cebu
LANDBANK reaffirmed its commitment to disaster response and recovery by extending ₱3.2 million in financial assistance and ₱3.1 million worth of relief packs to earthquake-hit communities in Davao Oriental and Cebu on October 23, 2025. Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chairman Ralph G. Recto, together with President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, led the simultaneous relief operations. “LANDBANK remains steadfast in providing timely assistance to our fellow Filipinos during times of crisis. Beyond immediate relief, we are equally focused on supporting the long-term recovery and rebuilding of affected communities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. In Davao Oriental, ₱500,000 was turned over to the provincial government, and ₱200,000 each to the City of Mati and Municipality of Manay. LANDBANK also distributed 1,000 grocery packs to displaced families, partly funded by voluntary donations from Bank employees. In Cebu, ₱2.3 million in financial aid was provided to 11 municipalities, including ₱500,000 each to Medellin, San Remigio, and Daanbantayan, and ₱100,000 each to Tabogon, Tabuelan, Sogod, Borbon, Catmon, Bantayan, Sta. Fe, and Madridejos. A total of 2,600 relief packs containing essential items, also funded in part by employee contributions, were also turned-over to the local Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices of the said municipalities and Bogo City. Previously, LANDBANK extended ₱4.9 million in aid to Cebu Province, Bogo City, and Masbate, distributed 2,000 food relief packs, donated 32 portable water filtration systems, deployed mobile ATMs, and ensured branch operations resumed promptly. Beyond immediate relief, LANDBANK rolled-out financial programs to support long-term recovery, including the CARES Plus for MSMEs and cooperatives, Electronic Salary Loan (eSL), EasyCash for Emergencies, PeER Loan for pensioners and government employees, and Emergency Loans of up to ₱25,000. LANDBANK services remain accessible via 409 branches, over 2,900 ATMs nationwide, and online through the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA), iAcces, weAccess, and Link.BizPortal. For more information, visit any LANDBANK branch or call the Customer Care Hotline at (02) 8405-7000.
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LANDBANK, DENR boost support for sustainable water and environmental initiatives
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (2nd from right) and DENR Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla (2nd from left) formalize a partnership to strengthen the country’s water security and environmental resilience through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 15 October 2025 at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City. They are joined by LANDBANK Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. Bongolan (rightmost) and DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo C. David (leftmost). State-run LANDBANK and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have partnered to strengthen the country’s water security and environmental resilience through enhanced collaboration on water-related projects. The partnership was formalized through a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) led by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and DENR Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla on 15 October 2025 at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City. They were joined by LANDBANK Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. Bongolan and DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo C. David. Under the agreement, LANDBANK and the DENR will jointly promote sustainable water resource management by extending financial and technical support to water districts, local government units (LGUs), and other institutions engaged in water supply, sanitation, and conservation initiatives. “LANDBANK reiterates its commitment to provide accessible financing to water districts, LGUs, and other entities engaged in water supply, sanitation, and conservation projects. Together, we aim to build resilient communities, strengthen public health, and secure the country’s water future,” said LANDBANK President Ortiz, underscoring the urgency of sustainable water solutions in the face of climate-related challenges. The partnership builds on the Bank’s existing H2OPE Lending Program (Water Program for Everyone), through which LANDBANK has already released ₱5 billion in financing to 35 borrowers nationwide as of August 2025. This enhanced collaboration will further scale up support for water-related initiatives nationwide. LANDBANK will allocate funds and design financing programs for eligible projects, promote concessional lending opportunities, and provide related financial services. As a Direct Access Entity (DAE) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), LANDBANK will also partner with the DENR to develop and manage projects for GCF funding. “Integrated water management is a challenge that we need to be constantly working on. With LANDBANK's support as the implementing agency for the loan facility, we can move forward with ease, without having to establish a new system and new agencies to administer the same. Through this partnership, we will also explore a responsive loan instrument for water service providers to better support their operations and improve access to safe water across communities,” said DENR Sec. Lotilla. For its part, the DENR will identify priority water programs and provide technical guidance in water resource management, conservation, and environmental impact assessments. It will likewise assist eligible proponents in securing necessary environmental permits and approvals. Eligible projects include the development and rehabilitation of water supply systems, wastewater treatment, watershed protection, and other climate-resilient water resource projects aligned with national policies and UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on clean water and sanitation for all.
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