Bataan palay farmers Godofredo Magpoc (leftmost), Danilo Zulueta (upper right), and Roberto Morales (lower right) reap the benefits of financial assistance from the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF) Program of Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the production requirements of their rice fields.
BATAAN – For the past 37 years, Godofredo Magpoc has provided for his family by growing different varieties of palay in his 2-hectare farm in Orion town. But with the recent decline in palay prices affecting his income, raising capital to sustain his livelihood has become a challenge.
“Sa panahon ngayon, lubhang napakahirap para sa isang magsasaka ang mawalan ng puhunan. Kaya naman napipilitan humiram sa patubuan (informal lenders),” Magpoc said.
In December 2019, Magpoc learned about the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF) Program of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Department of Agriculture (DA). This credit facility aims to boost the productivity and income of small rice farmers, and cushion the initial impact of Republic Act No. 11203, also known as the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).
Under the ERCA-RCEF, individual farmers may borrow up to 90% of the total project cost—at a fixed interest rate of 2% per annum—for the purchase of farm inputs for rice and rice seed production, and acquisition of farm machineries and equipment for production and post-production.
Magpoc successfully applied for a loan of P78,500.00 from LANDBANK, which he used to purchase farm inputs and hire additional farm workers. Since availing of the ERCA-RCEF Program, he has seen an increase in yield of about 30-40 cavans of rice every harvest season. He will be availing his fourth loan under the Program this May 2021.
“In partnership with the Department of Agriculture, LANDBANK remains focused on delivering responsive financial services most especially to rice farmers and cooperatives. Through the ERCA-RCEF Program, we aim to increase their productivity and income through timely and accessible financial assistance,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
Like Magpoc, palay farmer Danilo Zulueta from the Municipality of Pilar, also enjoyed the benefits of the ERCA-RCEF Program. A farmer for the past 20 years, he was granted a loan of P61,500.00 last December 2020 to support his 1.5-hectare rice field, which he used for land preparation, and to buy fertilizers and pesticides.
“Malaki ang naitulong ng pautang ng LANDBANK at DA. Dahil sa sapat na puhunan, nakapagpatanim ako ng naaayon sa bilang ng araw ng punla at nakapagsabog ng abono (fertilizer) sa tamang panahon. Dahil dito, naniniwala akong magkakaroon ako ng masaganang ani at siyempre, magkakaroon ng karagdagang kita,” said Zulueta.
For Roberto Morales, another palay farmer from Balanga City, the ERCA-RCEF Program is the best alternative from informal lenders who charge higher interest rates. Under the Program, LANDBANK granted him a loan of P82,000.00 in December 2019 which he used as additional capital to purchase fertilizers and pesticides.
“Malaki ang naitulong ng perang nahiram ko mula sa LANDBANK. Tumaas ang aking kita dahil 2% per annum lang ang interest rate ng ERCA-RCEF kumpara sa iba na may mataas na interes,” said Morales.
Continuing support for palay farmers
Under the ERCA-RCEF Program, LANDBANK has cumulatively released P1.03 billion in loans to 6,214 eligible borrowers composed of palay farmers and cooperatives as of April 30, 2021.
Most of the farmer-beneficiaries were from Region 2—particularly the rice-producing provinces of Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino—where LANDBANK assisted a total of 3,129 rice farmers and 19 cooperatives.
DA-accredited cooperatives may also borrow under the ERCA-RCEF Program for the purchase of farm inputs for rice and rice seed production as a collective operation, working capital for rice and rice seed trading, and other rice farming-related activities such as the acquisition of machineries and equipment, as well as relending and rediscounting of existing loans of small rice farmers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
For on-lending, the interest rate is at 0% per annum with prescribed pass-on rate to end-borrowers of up to 6% per annum.
As mandated by Republic Act No. 11203, LANDBANK shall continue to administer the ERCA-RCEF Program for DA until 2024, and make available P500 million in loans annually to rice farmers registered to the RSBSA in 38 rice-producing provinces.
For more information about LANDBANK’s Lending Programs, interested borrowers may contact the nearest open LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch nationwide, or call LANDBANK’s customer service hotline at (02) 8-405-7000 or at PLDT Domestic Toll Free 1-800-10-405-7000.
LANDBANK, DOST-TAPI strengthen partnership to support Filipino innovators
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (3rd from left) and DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena (2nd from left) sign the partnership for the enhanced I-TECH Lending Program, designed to provide accessible financing to Filipino inventors and technology developers. Witnessing the signing ceremony on 15 July 2025 at Okada Manila are LANDBANK Executive Vice President Ma. Celeste A. Burgos (rightmost) and DOST- TAPI Investment and Business Operations Division Manager Romeo M. Javate (leftmost). In a joint push to advance innovation and inclusive technological development, LANDBANK and the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) have formalized a renewed partnership to provide greater support for Filipino inventors and technology developers. Central to the collaboration is the Innovation and Technology (I-TECH) Lending Program, designed to provide affordable and accessible financing to help inventors commercialize their patented technologies and bring them to market. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena formalized the partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) signing on 15 July 2025 at Okada Manila. LANDBANK EVP Ma. Celeste A. Burgos and DOST-TAPI Investment & Business Operation Division Manager Romeo M. Javate witnessed the signing. “At LANDBANK, we firmly believe that technology is a key driver of inclusive growth that opens doors to a better, more sustainable future for all. We believe in the potential of every Filipino innovator, and we are here to back that potential every step of the way,” said LANDBANK PCEO Ortiz. Under the enhanced I-TECH Lending Program, LANDBANK serves as the primary lending conduit, while DOST-TAPI administers the Invention Guarantee Fund (IGF) to fund the program. Empowering innovators with accessible financing The I-TECH Lending Program introduces several enhancements to better serve target beneficiaries, broadening its reach and maximizing impact. To encourage wider participation, the previous loan ceiling of P12.5 million has been removed, allowing eligible borrowers to access up to 85% of the total project cost, and up to 80% for land acquisition. Loan interest charges have likewise been waived through funding sourced from the IGF, enabling the Program to operate as an off-book facility for LANDBANK, and lowering the financial burden on borrowers. These enhancements are in line with Republic Act No. 7459, or the Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines, which aims to empower local innovators through financial and non-financial assistance. As of 30 June 2025, a total of P32.25 million in loans has been released under the I- TECH Lending Program. Through this enhanced partnership, LANDBANK and DOST-TAPI reaffirm their commitment to empowering Filipino innovators, transforming homegrown ideas into sustainable, high-impact enterprises, and helping build a robust technology-driven economy. 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 powers cashless fare payments in MRT-3
United for seamless transport fare payments: (from left to right) VISA Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro, Mynt President and CEO Martha Sazon, DOTr Secretary Vince B. Dizon, DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda, BSP Monetary Board Member Walter C. Wassmer, G-Xchange President and CEO Ren-ren Reyes, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Executive Vice President Leila C. Martin, and BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan join forces to pilot contactless fare payments at MRT-3 under the Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS). LANDBANK reinforced its role as a key enabler of convenient and cashless commuting with the successful pilot launch of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) for MRT-3 on 25 July 2025. Under the AFCS, MRT-3 passengers can now experience seamless commuting by simply tapping their debit, credit, or prepaid Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) cards at upgraded turnstiles. This offers a faster and more convenient alternative to single-journey tickets and stored-value cards, marking a shift towards secure, seamless, and real-time transit payments. The live demonstration was led by Transportation Secretary Vince B. Dizon, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monetary Board Member Walter C. Wassmer and Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda, Mynt President and CEO Martha Sazon, Globe Exchange, Inc. (GXI) President and CEO Ren-ren Reyes, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, VISA Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro, RCBC President and CEO Reginald Cariaso, and RCBC Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer EVP Lito Villanueva, among other key stakeholders. “We are proud to enable smart, secure, and contactless payments for daily commuters and to support the government’s push for digital transport reform. At LANDBANK, we are always ready to partner with both public and private players to scale interoperable payment solutions that improve everyday lives,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. As part of the collaboration project, GCash operator GXI deployed and maintains the POS terminals and transit system at MRT-3 turnstiles, handling fare computation, reporting, and commuter support to ensure smooth card-based transactions. Meanwhile, LANDBANK serves as the sole acquiring bank and transit payment gateway integrator, ensuring that payments made using EMV cards are authorized, processed, and settled directly into DOTr’s account. LANDBANK’s Transit Payment Solution supports fare payments across different transport modes through an integrated system of validators, a central payment gateway, and settlement services. It works for EMV and other dedicated cards, and can connect with other transit providers through secure digital links to support a truly interoperable nationwide transit experience. The AFCS forms part of the National Government’s broader agenda to digitize public services, aligned with Executive Order No. 170 and the BSP’s Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap. With this initiative, LANDBANK stands ready to help build a fully modernized and inclusive public transport ecosystem, powered by financial technology and strong inter-agency and public sector collaboration. 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 country, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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Empowering agri value chains: LANDBANK rolls out AGRISENSO plus in Western Visayas
LANDBANK empowered over 1,500 farmers from across Iloilo with the launch of the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program in Western Visayas on 11 July 2025 at the Pototan Coliseum in Pototan. POTOTAN, Iloilo – In its continued push to strengthen agri-based communities and ensure food security, LANDBANK launched the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program in Western Visayas, bringing accessible financing and other support to small farmers, fishers, and agri-enterprises in the region. The launch event on 11 July 2025 at the Pototan Coliseum in this municipality, dubbed as the “rice granary of Panay,” marked the sixth rollout of the Program nationwide and the first in Western Visayas. Over 1,500 farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) attended the event, underscoring the growing demand for affordable financing and holistic support across the agriculture value chain. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz led the event, as joined by Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Asis G. Perez, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) President Atty. Jovy C. Bernabe, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) OIC-Executive Director Ma. Cristina G. Lopez, Pototan Mayor Rafael Enrique P. Lazaro, and LANDBANK Executive Vice Presidents Leila C. Martin and Allan V. Bornas, and Senior Vice President Atty. Roderick P. Sacro. “With AGRISENSO Plus, LANDBANK is bringing more than just credit, we are building linkages, capacity, and opportunities to transform agri-livelihoods into viable enterprises that can compete and grow. This is especially crucial in Western Visayas which is as a key pillar of our national food supply,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz. Inclusive financing and more The AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program is LANDBANK’s comprehensive value chain-based financing initiative, developed in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), and various private sector partners. The Program offers a fixed interest rate of 4.0% per annum for small farmers, fishers, and ARBs, with competitive rates for their associations and organizations, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), large enterprises, anchor firms, and agriculture graduates. Under the AGRISENSO Plus Program, eligible borrowers benefit from simplified documentation requirements, free life and credit life insurance, and expanded access to financing and technical support across a wide range of agricultural activities. The Program also connects borrowers to market opportunities through partnerships with anchor firms, namely Kita Agritech Corporation, Sarisuki Stores, Inc., TAO Foods Company, Inc., Yovel East Research and Development, Inc., and Unified Tillers Agriculture Cooperative (UTAC). AGRISENSO Plus is reinforced by the LANDBANK ASCEND (Agri-Fishery Support through Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development) Program, a capacity-building component that provides farmers and fishers with training on digital financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise development. AGRISENSO Plus Card As part of the holistic approach of the AGRISENSO Plus Program, LANDBANK also introduced the AGRISENSO Plus Card, a specially designed savings account for farmers, fishers, and ARBs. The account can be opened easily through the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, with no initial deposit or maintaining balance required. Cardholders can conveniently pay bills, shop online, make cardless withdrawals, enjoy free fund transfers to other LANDBANK accounts, and receive remittances from abroad. Expanding reach and deepening impact As of May 2025, LANDBANK has extended a total of ₱1.16 billion in loans through AGRISENSO Plus, directly benefiting 6,853 borrowers and advancing growth across the agriculture sector. The rollout of the LANDBANK AGRISENSO Plus in Iloilo follows successful launches in Pampanga, Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, and Bukidnon that engaged more than 5,000 farmers across Luzon and Mindanao. LANDBANK remains steadfast in its mandate to advance countryside development by scaling up inclusive and sustainable financing for the agri value chain — empowering small producers, driving productivity, and helping lay the groundwork for a more food-secure Philippines. 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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