(left photo) Belison Mayor Christopher H. Piccio (3rd from right) and Vice Mayor Reynaldo E. Jacaba (4th from right) lead the official opening of the new Belison Public Market (right photo) for local vendors and residents. They were joined by LANDBANK Senior Vice President Delma O. Bandiola (2nd from right) and Antique Lending Center Head Engr. Roy C. Gonzaga (rightmost), with other local officials.
BELISON, Antique – In support of the economic recovery of local communities from the pandemic, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) recently joined the inauguration of the newly-opened Belison Public Market in this 5th class municipality, which is expected to help boost the town’s local economy.
LANDBANK provided an P80 million loan for the infrastructure project dubbed as the “Modern Agora,” designed to be the first public market to look like a mall in the Province of Antique, with 124 stalls for meat, fish, vegetable, fruits, dry goods, and grocery produce.
The market is also expected to open new economic opportunities to more than 6,000 farmers in Belison and its neighboring municipalities of Patnongon and Sibalom.
“We are proud to support the Municipality of Belison in establishing a hub for local economic development. LANDBANK likewise remains committed to helping farmers and fishers by putting up markets for their produce,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz.
Belison Mayor Christopher H. Piccio and Vice Mayor Reynaldo E. Jacaba recently led the official opening of the Belison Public Market for vendors and residents, together with LANDBANK Senior Vice President Delma O. Bandiola and Antique Lending Center Head Engr. Roy C. Gonzaga, alongside members of the Sangguniang Bayan and other local officials.
“We are grateful for LANDBANK’s assistance to us. Despite the fact that we are among the smallest municipalities in terms of area, population, and share of National Tax Allotment, we were able to access a loan with LANDBANK to improve our town,” said Belison Mayor Piccio.
He added that the LGU plans to further tap the services of LANDBANK for the Phase II development of the public market.
LANDBANK financed the public market under the RISE UP (Restoration and Invigoration package for a Self-sufficient Economy towards UPgrowth for LGUs) Lending Program, designed to help ensure the resilient and sustainable recovery of local economies from the pandemic.
The Bank has approved loans under the Program totaling P114.7 billion for 412 LGUs as of 30 June 2023.
Provincial, city and municipal governments may borrow from LANDBANK to finance their development and innovative projects geared towards rebuilding their communities and local economies.
LANDBANK likewise remains the biggest development partner of the LGU sector, with a total of P97.5 billion in outstanding loans extended to LGUs nationwide as of end-June 2023.
LANDBANK is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month, representing six decades of uplifting lives, empowering communities, and serving the nation — all in pursuit of an inclusive and sustainable economy.
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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