Hope shines brightest in the dark – As darkness falls, college student Marvie Ann Berdin of Laua-an, Antique, relies on the dim light of a gas lamp as she completes her schoolwork. (Photo courtesy of Marvie Ann Berdin)
LAUA-AN, Antique – In this rural town, the future shines bright for 18-year-old college student Marvie Ann Berdin.
Only a few years away from attaining her dream of becoming a civil engineer, Marvie continues to brave through numerous hardships and financial difficulties, thanks to the support she receives from various government agencies.
Marvie has had to face life’s challenges at a young age, with unemployed parents who could barely make ends meet, let alone finance the education of their eight children.
But Marvie was not deterred from attending elementary school, even if it meant travelling by foot for two hours and crossing a river every day. She also took on several jobs to support her education, including being a part-time house helper and a student assistant.
Augmenting their family income for daily expenses and medication for her ill father, Marvie’s mother, Maricel, regularly receives government subsidy as a beneficiary of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
When previously, Maricel had to wait in line at the covered court in their barangay for almost the entire day just to get the cash aid during payouts, digital innovation has now made it easier for her to receive the subsidy.
Since receiving a prepaid card from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), Maricel has been heading to the nearest LANDBANK Branch in San Jose, Antique, to withdraw the cash subsidy conveniently and safely in just a few minutes.
“Dahil hindi marunong si mama mag-withdraw sa ATM, mas pinipili niya na mag-withdraw over-the-counter sa LANDBANK Branch. Palagi siyang inaalalayan ng mga staff doon,” Marvie narrates.
Recently, Maricel prefers to cash-out their subsidy from the Barbaza Multi-Purpose Cooperative, an Agent Banking Partner operating on behalf of LANDBANK, which caters to their town.
Apart from cash withdrawal from LANDBANK Branches and ATMs, CCT beneficiaries can also use the LANDBANK CCT Prepaid Cards to make cashless purchases in groceries and drugstores, among others.
The state-run Bank also recently converted the LANDBANK CCT Prepaid Cards into transaction accounts, which provides access to additional services such as cash loading via LANDBANK branches and Cash Deposit Machines, receiving of funds from other agencies through institutional top-up, from LANDBANK accounts through the LANDBANK Mobile Banking Application (MBA), iAccess and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and from other bank accounts via InstaPay.
Along with the cash assistance the family receives, Marvie also receives a stipend to support her studies as a grantee of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).
Currently, Marvie goes to the LANDBANK Antique Branch to encash the cheque she receives under the TES Program. Soon, she will benefit from LANDBANK’s partnership with CHED and UniFAST, with the ongoing distribution of LANDBANK CHED-UniFAST Prepaid Cards to TES beneficiaries.
The LANDBANK CHED-UniFAST Prepaid Card is a general-purpose reloadable card that functions as an electronic wallet and can be used as a debit or ATM card, allowing TES beneficiaries to conveniently withdraw their student allowance from LANDBANK ATMs, Branches, and Agent Banking Partners nationwide. They can also use the LANDBANK CHED-UniFAST Prepaid Cards for cashless payments, electronic fund transfers, and online account management, among others.
“Salamat sa LANDBANK sa magandang serbisyo upang maihatid ang suporta ng gobyerno sa akin at sa aking pamilya, lalo na ngayon panahon ng pandemya. Malaking tulong ang inyong produkto at serbisyo upang maipagpatuloy ko ang aking pag-aaral,” says Marvie.
Just recently, Marvie won second runner-up in the MyTEStimony photo contest of LANDBANK and CHED-UniFAST, where she photographed herself studying at home, with only a gas lamp as her only source of light. With the cash prize, she was able to buy a mobile phone that she uses for her online classes.
As part of its commitment of serving the nation, LANDBANK is the main distribution arm of financial assistance under the National Government’s social protection programs, in partnership with various government agencies.
LANDBANK surges past ₱3.14-T in digital transactions, drives financial inclusion nationwide
LANDBANK is setting the pace for digital banking in the Philippines, powering an impressive ₱3.14 trillion in digital transactions in the first nine months of 2025. This marks a 36% increase in value and a 27% rise in volume year-on-year, with over 550 million transactions processed — a clear sign that Filipinos are embracing fast, secure, and convenient digital solutions. The Bank’s digital ecosystem — spanning the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA), iAccess, Link.BizPortal, weAccess, Electronic Modified Disbursement System (eMDS), LANDBANKasama, e-Tax Payment System (eTPS), the new BIR VDS Portal, LANDBANK Bulk Credit System (LBCS), and LANDBANK Remittance System (LBRS) — continues to transform how individuals, businesses, and government agencies transact. At the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2025, LANDBANK showcased its commitment to inclusive finance through innovation and strong governance. From retail banking to institutional services, LANDBANK is bridging gaps and expanding financial access, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). “Innovation, at its heart, must make people’s lives easier — more connected, more secure, and more inclusive. LANDBANK’s digital transformation began with that principle. We modernized our systems not just to compete, but to serve our people better,” said LANDBANK Executive Vice President Leila C. Martin during her presentation at the Singapore EXPO Convention Center on November 13. The LANDBANK MBA continued to drive client adoption, accounting for the majority of transaction volume with over 492.44 million transactions valued at ₱418.40 billion, representing increases of 26% in volume and 38% in value, respectively, compared to the previous year. The Bank’s online retail banking channel, iAccess, facilitated 2.59 million transactions worth ₱11.89 billion, while its web-based payment platform, Link.BizPortal, processed 6.76 million transactions amounting to ₱12.27 billion, posting growth of 20% in volume and 37% in value year-on-year. Institutional clients drove significant gains through the weAccess platform, which handled 32.85 million transactions valued at ₱1.29 trillion, reflecting increases of 69% and 37% from a year ago, respectively. A major driver of this growth was the surge in ATM payroll transactions, which reached 26.95 million transactions amounting to ₱266.71 billion, underscoring weAccess as a key payroll facility for both public and private sector clients. Meanwhile, government disbursements via eMDS reached ₱1.14 trillion across 3.63 million transactions, growing by 32% in volume and 40% in value. Through its network of agent banking partners under the LANDBANKasama Program, the Bank recorded 2.38 million transactions valued at ₱11.68 billion, up 13% in volume and 14% in value, as it continues to expand financial access in GIDAs nationwide. LANDBANK’s alternative tax payment facility, the eTPS, facilitated 554,151 transactions worth ₱132.93 billion, representing 21% and 16% growth, respectively. The recently launched BIR VDS Portal, developed in partnership with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), generated ₱1.93 billion in transaction value in its first year of implementation. The LBCS, used mainly for batch disbursements, recorded 6.08 million transactions with a total value of ₱52.37 billion, increasing by 7% in volume and 6% in value. Meanwhile, the LBRS processed 650,203 transactions totaling ₱58.26 billion, reflecting an 11% increase in value year-on-year. LANDBANK remains steadfast in leveraging digital innovation to meet the evolving needs of customers and strengthen financial inclusion, in line with its role as the country’s leading digital government and development bank. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the country’s largest government financial institution promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces, the Bank remains steadfast in providing accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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LANDBANK Q3 income climbs 42% year-on-year to ₱35.65 B, reflecting strong financial momentum
LANDBANK achieved a significant 42% jump in net income to ₱35.65 billion as of the third quarter of 2025, already surpassing its full-year earnings of ₱35.36 billion in 2024, and underscoring the Bank’s robust financial trajectory and performance above historical averages. Total assets expanded to a record ₱3.45 trillion, supported by growth in loan and investment portfolios. This solidifies LANDBANK’s position as the country’s second-largest universal and commercial bank in terms of assets. “LANDBANK’s strong performance as of the third quarter underscores our prudent management, operational efficiency, and continued investments in digital innovation. We remain steadfast in our mission to drive inclusive growth, empower the agriculture sector, and deliver innovative financial solutions for all Filipinos,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The Bank’s loan portfolio is now at its peak at ₱1.70 trillion, propelled by the higher volume of loans across all segments. Deposits rose to a new high of ₱3.07 trillion, demonstrating continued trust from both government and private sector depositors. LANDBANK’s digital transformation continued to accelerate, processing 550.73 million digital transactions valued at ₱3.14 trillion as of September 2025. This represents a 51% increase in volume from the previous quarter. The state-run Bank remained steadfast in its developmental mandate, with outstanding loans to Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development (AFRD) reaching over ₱812 billion, accounting for over 47% of LANDBANK’s total loan portfolio. Under LANDBANK’s flagship AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, the Bank has extended ₱1.95 billion in loans as of September 2025 to over 12,300 borrowers since its launch last year, most of whom are small farmers and fishers. Through the Program’s capacity-building component, a total of 25,296 small farmers and fishers have been trained. LANDBANK’s nationwide network continued to expand with 10,582 touchpoints, including 609 branches, 60 lending centers, 3,244 automated teller machines (ATMs), and 1,091 LANDBANKasama partners, ensuring broad access to financial services across the country. Customers can also transact free of charge at over 3,800 7-Eleven ATMs nationwide through the Bank’s partnership with Pito Axm Platform, Inc. (PAPI). 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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Empowering Cadiz as Negros’ farming hub: LANDBANK streamlines digital agri lending with AGRISENSO Plus
CADIZ CITY, Negros Occidental – LANDBANK continues to make agricultural financing more accessible with the integration of online applications under the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, allowing farmers to conveniently apply for loans anytime and anywhere, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to simplify access to affordable credit. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the launch on 30 October 2025 at the Cadiz City Arena, attended by more than 1,700 farmers from Cadiz and neighboring towns. They were joined by Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) President Atty. Jovy C. Bernabe, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Deputy Executive Director Ma. Cristina G. Lopez, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador G. Escalante, Jr. and Vice Mayor John Vincent I. Escalante, EB Magalona Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon, Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael M. Cueva, Silay City Mayor Joedith C. Gallego, and Valladolid Mayor Ricardo P. Presbitero, Jr. “Sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan sa LANDBANK at iba pa nating katuwang, titiyakin natin na ang benepisyo ng AGRISENSO Plus ay makarating sa lahat ng magsasaka at mangingisda, saan mang sulok ng bansa,” said DA Sec. Laurel. In 2024, Mayor Escalante shared his vision of transforming Cadiz and its neighboring towns into a primary agricultural hub in Negros Occidental, with the AGRISENSO Plus Program expected to play a vital role in realizing this vision by improving farmers’ access to affordable financing and agribusiness support. “LANDBANK has seen how our farmers continue to face so many challenges — from the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, to the impact of climate change, unstable farmgate prices, and market access. This is why we designed AGRISENSO Plus to provide holistic and practical solutions to the challenges faced by our farmers and fisherfolk,” LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz emphasized. Inclusive and holistic agri financing The Program, developed in partnership with the DA, ACPC, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and private sector partners, is a value chain-based financing initiative that provides holistic support to agricultural stakeholders, with simplified documentary requirements, free life and credit life insurance, and expanded access to technical and market support to help boost productivity and profitability. It offers a lowered fixed interest rate of only 3.0% per annum — down from 4.0% — for small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), with competitive rates for their associations, cooperatives, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), large enterprises, anchor firms, and agriculture graduates. Complementing the Lending Program is the LANDBANK ASCEND (Agri-Fishery Support through Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development), a capacity-building initiative that equips farmers and fishers with training in digital financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise development. As of August 2025, LANDBANK has released ₱1.78 billion in loans under the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, supporting over 12,000 borrowers nationwide. The Negros Occidental rollout follows successful launches in Pampanga, Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Bukidnon, Iloilo, and Palawan. Strengthening partnerships for growth The Program also strengthens market linkages through partnerships with anchor firms such as Kita Agritech Corporation, Sarisuki Stores, Inc., TAO Foods Company, Inc., Yovel East Research and Development, Inc., Unified Tillers Agriculture Cooperative (UTAC), and Santeh Feeds Corporation. Agbeam Farms Incorporated recently joined this roster following the signing of a memorandum of agreement with LANDBANK on 20 October 2025 at LANDBANK Plaza in Manila. Agbeam Farms, which specializes in dragon fruit cultivation and processing, will provide end-to-end support to farmers—from land preparation and production to post-harvest processing and marketing—ensuring a complete and sustainable value chain for dragon fruit growers. Expanding digital convenience for farmers and MSMEs Further advancing its digitalization efforts, LANDBANK successfully piloted the first provincial rollout of its Person-to-Merchant (P2M) QR payment facility in Negros Occidental. The P2M facility delivers a two-fold benefit for both consumers and LANDBANK-accredited merchants. It is an interoperable payment channel that allows consumers to avail of free transfer fees for purchases worth ₱500 and below when paying via QRPh-P2M using the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA), other banking apps, or digital wallets. Meanwhile, participating merchants benefit from waived merchant fees for every transaction. This digital innovation further empowers farmers and MSMEs by offering a faster, more convenient, and secure way to receive payments, while reducing their reliance on cash transactions and promoting wider digital adoption across agricultural communities. Business owners can enroll their existing LANDBANK accounts, with P2M activation completed within just 24 to 48 hours. 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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