LANDBANK assisted the operations of A.R. Santiago Fish Farm, owned by Arnel Santiago (left photo) in San Mateo, Isabela, which now produces 300,000 to 500,000 tilapia fingerlings monthly that are sold regularly to fish pond operators, government agencies, and other buyers in the Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
SAN MATEO, Isabela – When Cagayan Valley, one of the country’s largest tilapia-producing regions, faced a region-wide shortage of tilapia fingerlings in 1993, business graduate Arnel Santiago decided to establish his own fish hatchery to help boost local production and earn additional income.
With no prior experience in aquaculture but armed with determination to learn about fish farming, Arnel completed trainings on fish pond operations and established A.R. Santiago Fish Farm. He was able to sustain his operations until 2002, when running his business became a challenge due to lack of capital.
It was then that Arnel availed of his first loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to purchase feeds and modern equipment such as water pumps and a backhoe, as well as a 2.4-hectare agricultural land to expand his fish farm.
Through LANDBANK’s continuing credit assistance over the years—which has since amounted to P6.4 million—Arnel’s fish production increased from an average of 100,000 tilapia fingerlings to 300,000 to 500,000 fingerlings per month.
“Isang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa LANDBANK. Dahil sa tulong nila ay umasenso at napalawak ko ang aking negosyo. Nakatulong rin ako na mapunan ang kakulangan sa produksyon ng tilapia dito sa aming rehiyon,” said Arnel.
A.R. Santiago Fish Farm now supplies fingerlings to various fish pond operators and buyers in Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The farm is also tapped by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) Region II and other local government units to supply fingerlings for their distribution activities to fish farmers.
With his increased income, Arnel was able to purchase a solar irrigation system to power his water pumps during daytime. This has since reduced monthly operational expenses by 30%.
“Consistent with the country’s continuing recovery, LANDBANK remains committed to catering to the financial requirements of the fisheries sector. We are assisting fishers and other key players to boost their production and income,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
To support the local fishing industry in Isabela, Arnel offers technical assistance to new fish breeders who want to venture into the tilapia breeding business. The A.R. Santiago Fish Farm is now accredited as a ‘Learning Site for Agriculture’ by BFAR, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Arnel has also reaped various awards for his accomplishments as a fish farmer from the Department of the Agriculture (DA) and the Local Government of San Mateo.
“Gusto kong ibahagi ang aking expertise at technical knowledge sa bagong henerasyon, para masiguro ang tuloy-tuloy na paglago ng aquaculture industry sa ating bansa,” Arnel added.
LANDBANK remains to be the biggest lender to the agriculture sector, with a total agri loan portfolio of P257.94 billion and having assisted more than 3.2 million small farmers and fishers nationwide as of 31 May 2022.
Advancing digital financial inclusion: LANDBANK and Palawan State University launch Cash-Lite Campus initiative
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – LANDBANK and Palawan State University (PSU) have partnered to launch the Cash-Lite Campus initiative, advancing digital financial literacy and empowering students with secure, efficient banking solutions. Launched on 9 October 2025 at the PSU Performing Arts Center, the initiative aims to reduce cash dependency and streamline transactions for University’s students, faculty, and staff through mobile and e-banking services. “LANDBANK is here to help students build digital confidence in managing their finances — safely, smartly, and efficiently. Whether paying school fees, buying meals, or splitting costs with friends, our digital solutions make everyday transactions simpler and more secure,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, who led the event, together with PSU President Dr. Ramon M. Docto and other officials. The Cash-Lite Campus initiative introduces the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) and other e-payment channels, equipping students with essential digital financial skills. A key feature is the LANDBANK Piso Plus account, which can be opened via the LANDBANK MBA, with no initial deposit or maintaining balance. Pre-launch activities on 8 October engaged students in interactive missions to promote account opening and digital engagement. The launch also featured a financial literacy session and live demonstrations of cashless transactions using the LANDBANK MBA, highlighting the convenience and security of digital banking. The initiative is expected to result in over 12,000 new account openings and a significant boost in digital transactions at PSU, supporting LANDBANK’s mission to advance financial inclusion in the education sector. Following PSU, LANDBANK plans to expand the Cash-Lite Campus initiative nationwide, fostering digital adoption and financial empowerment among the youth. Through partnerships like this, LANDBANK continues to champion financial inclusion and digital innovation, ensuring students and educators are equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
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LANDBANK empowers small businesses with accessible financing, support services
As part of its steadfast efforts to drive economic activities and promote inclusive growth, LANDBANK has rolled-out a new lending program to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their partner financial institutions with accessible financing and capacity-building support. Under the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program — which stands for LANDBANK’s Innovative Financing Thrust Towards Inclusive National Growth thru Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises — eligible borrowers may use loan proceeds for working capital, business expansion, equipment purchase or upgrade, renovation, digitalization, franchising, export and trade finance, and green or sustainable projects. “MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy, making up 99.6% of total business establishments and employing 65% of the total workforce. Every loan extended to an MSME creates a ripple effect — sustaining jobs, uplifting families, and strengthening communities. Through the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program, LANDBANK is fueling this multiplier effect to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth across the nation,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Loan packages for every growth stage To support businesses at every stage of their journey, the program offers three (3) loan packages. The Start-Up Loan, ranging from ₱100,000 to ₱500,000, is designed for start-ups and microenterprises with less than one (1) year of operation. It comes with free financial literacy training, minimal collateral requirements, and low welcome interest rates. For micro and small enterprises with at least one (1) year in operation, the Step-Up Loan provides between ₱500,000 and ₱5 million in financing, with added benefits such as free training, interest rate reductions, provision of Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, and eligibility to transition to higher financing. Meanwhile, the Level-Up Loan, offering up to ₱50 million, is available to small and medium enterprises with more than three (3) years of operations. This package provides strategic funding to scale businesses further, coupled with lower interest rates and access to a LANDBANK corporate credit card. Under the Program, LANDBANK also extends a rediscounting line to credit cooperatives, rural banks, and microfinance institutions (MFIs) that provide loan services to MSMEs to boost their lending capacity, covering up to 85% of outstanding receivables. How to apply Interested borrowers may apply for the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program through the LANDBANK Business Loan Application (BLA) Portal, an online platform where loan applicants can directly submit their applications without the need for manual intervention. The Portal allows applicants to complete application forms, upload required documents, and track the status of their application. It is accessible 24/7 through the LANDBANK website at https://www.landbank.com. For more information, interested borrowers may visit any LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch, or contact LANDBANK’s Customer Care Hotline at (02) 8405-7000. 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 resumes operations in Cebu and Masbate; bolsters recovery support
LANDBANK has fully restored regular banking operations in Cebu and Masbate following the recent earthquake and Typhoon Opong, reaffirming its commitment to uninterrupted financial access for affected communities. All LANDBANK branches in both provinces are now operational, with the exception of the Aroroy, Masbate branch-lite unit, which remains temporarily closed due to a power outage. Clients are advised to use nearby branches, ATMs, or the Bank’s digital platforms for their immediate banking needs. Despite the calamities’ impact on its operations and personnel, LANDBANK continues to expand support to affected communities, mobilizing ₱4.9 million in monetary aid to affected areas. This includes ₱2 million for Cebu Province, ₱1.5 million for Bogo City, and ₱500,000 for Masbate Province, ₱200,000 for Masbate City, and ₱100,000 each for the municipalities of Uson, Dimasalang, Cawayan, Cataingan, Mandaon, Milagros and Palanas. On October 2, LANDBANK employees distributed 2,000 food relief packs to evacuees in Daanbantayan, Bogo City, Medellin, and San Remigio, Cebu. The relief operations were made possible through the voluntary efforts and cash contributions of LANDBANK employees, reflecting the Bank’s collective spirit of compassion and solidarity with affected communities. The Bank is also partnering with humanitarian group Waves for Water (W4) to deploy portable water filtration systems in the hardest-hit areas. “LANDBANK stands ready to deliver both immediate and sustained financial lifelines to our fellow Filipinos in Cebu and Masbate. Our emergency support programs ensure that all affected sectors — from farmers and fishers to MSMEs and wage earners — have the resources to recover and bounce back stronger,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Beyond immediate relief, LANDBANK is rolling out financial programs to support long-term recovery. These include: • CARES Plus Lending Program: Financing for MSMEs, cooperatives, and utilities for working capital, repairs, and disaster recovery. • Electronic Salary Loan (eSL): Quick access to credit for LANDBANK payroll account holders via digital platforms. • EasyCash for Emergencies: Emergency cash conversion for LANDBANK credit cardholders with flexible repayment terms. • Pension and Emergency Relief (PeER) Loan: Credit assistance for pensioners with LANDBANK Pension Accounts and government employees with LANDBANK Payroll Accounts, offering loan amounts ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱300,000. • Emergency Loans: Immediate financial assistance for government employees with LANDBANK Payroll Accounts and pensioners with LANDBANK Pension Accounts, up to P25,000. Borrowers with existing Salary or PeER Loans in good standing are also eligible. Clients may access LANDBANK services through open branches, over 2,900 ATMs nationwide, or online via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) and Link.BizPortal. For more information on the Bank’s emergency support programs, visit the nearest LANDBANK branch or contact the Customer Care Hotline at (02) 8405-7000.
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