State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has extended a total of P20.86 billion in outstanding loans to 1,081 cooperatives and farmers’ associations as of end-August, as it expressed its continued commitment to support the role of local co-ops in getting communities and the economy back on its feet amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
During the virtual celebration for Cooperative Month this October at the House of Representatives on Monday (October 5), with the theme, “Koop Kalinga sa Pandemya," LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo assured cooperatives of readily available credit facilities with low interest rates to finance recovery projects and initiatives. The virtual event was hosted by the House Committee on Cooperatives Development, which is headed by Coop-NATCCO party-list Rep. Sabiniano Canama.
“As your long-time partner in growth, we in LANDBANK reaffirm our unwavering commitment and solidarity to the noble objectives of the cooperative sector. We recognize the important role of co-ops in helping revive the local economy, with your presence in communities, especially in the countryside,” said President Borromeo.
As of August 2020, LANDBANK said outstanding loans to the agriculture sector reached P224.66 billion, of which P20.86 billion was extended to farmers’ co-ops.
This amount includes P428 million in loans provided to cooperatives under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) and the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF) administered with the Department of Agriculture (DA), as well as the Socialized Credit Program under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SCP-SIDA) in partnership with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
The LANDBANK-managed ACEF aims to increase productivity of farmers and fishers by providing the necessary credit to farmers and fishers and their cooperatives and associations, and micro and small-scale enterprises, for the acquisition and establishment of production, postharvest, and processing machineries, equipment and facilities, farm inputs and improvement. A maximum of P5 million can be availed by farmer and fishers cooperatives, associations, and micro and small enterprises.
The RCEF is mandated under the Rice Tariffication Law or Republic Act 11203 with a total of P10 billion to be allotted annually and will be incorporated under the General Appropriations Act to be used in boosting the agricultural productivity in the country and help the lives of farmers. Of this annual amount, P1 billion (P500 M per year for 2 years now) is allocated for credit which is being administered by LANDBANK.
Meanwhile SCP-SIDA is funded by 15 percent (or about P300 million) of the annual P2-billion fund allocated for the development of the country’s sugar industry.
President Borromeo said LANDBANK supports the government’s move to promote cooperatives and farmers’ associations—particularly those involved in the farming sector—as a means to achieve economies of scale and efficiency.
Alongside extending loans, LANDBANK will also be providing financial literacy trainings to 220 micro and small co-ops from 92 unbanked municipalities under the FIT-Coop Program. Together with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the program is designed to help improve the business operations and strengthen the capacity of cooperatives to access formal credit.
Meanwhile, under the Bank’s SPEED PUV (Special Package for Environment-Friendly and Efficiently-Driven Public Utility Vehicles) Loan Program—which is implemented in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)—LANDBANK continues to accept and process loan applications from transport cooperatives. As of August this year, total loans approved for transport cooperatives reached P356 million for the acquisition of 197 modern units.
Last April, LANDBANK also launched the I-RESCUE (Interim REhabilitation Support to Cushion Unfavorably-affected Enterprises by Covid-19) Lending Program for cooperatives that offers additional credit and loan restructuring under more flexible terms and conditions.
“Once again, rest assured that LANDBANK stands shoulder to shoulder with you–our partners in cooperativism. Together, let us work our way to a new normal that promotes greater cooperation, resilience and sustained economic growth for one and all,” President Borromeo added.
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.
Harvest of wisdom: Retired professor champions sustainable, inclusive farming
Retired educator Dra. Celeste N. Querijero now devotes her time to cultivating mushrooms and managing her farm in Misamis Oriental, which has become a model of sustainable and inclusive farming. OPOL, Misamis Oriental — After dedicating 44 years to shaping minds as an agriculture professor at the Mindanao State University (MSU), Dra. Celeste N. Querijero was offered a prestigious international consultancy post — a tempting opportunity that recognized her expertise and decades of experience. But she chose to stay closer to home to empower small farmers in the community by sharing her knowledge of sustainable farming that defined her teaching career. "Even before I retired, I already had a deep passion for agriculture,” she shared. “As MSU’s coordinator for extension services, I saw firsthand the pressing needs of our farmers. They wanted knowledge, access, and a stable livelihood. So after retirement, I volunteered myself to serve. It’s my way of giving back after all the blessings I’ve received throughout my career," she said. True to this calling, Dra. Querijero founded the CNQ Diversified Farm in Sitio Saguing Patag, named after her initials. With mushrooms as her flagship crop — an expertise she honed while writing her dissertation in Thailand — she began cultivating oyster mushrooms, and later expanded into a diversified farm ecosystem which includes mulberries, ilang-ilang, coconuts, mangoes, vegetables, legumes, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and ube. Empowered by LANDBANK support Dra. Querijero used the loan from LANDBANK to build a multi-purpose facility, which includes a mushroom growing house on the ground floor. To scale up her farm’s operations, Dra. Querijero tapped LANDBANK’s low-interest financing under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Lending Program, implemented in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA). The funds enabled her to invest in modern equipment and build a multi-purpose facility as an additional production area and training venue for farmers and stakeholders. From an initial annual yield of 8,000 oyster mushroom packs, CNQ Diversified Farm now produces 20,000 packs distributed to leading malls such as SM, Ayala, and Robinsons, and even reaching markets in Bohol and Cebu. The expansion also created employment for 21 locals, with women comprising 80% of the workforce. A learning hub for sustainable and inclusive farming Beyond its produce, what sets CNQ Diversified Farm apart is its role as a learning hub for sustainable and inclusive farming. Dra. Querijero regularly hosts agriculture-related training sessions in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO), and other government agencies. Dra. Querijero is even in talks with European stakeholders who are interested to take agri training programs. The CNQ Diversified Farm is fast becoming a model for sustainable and inclusive farming, and a convergence zone for universities, government institutions, and local government units eager to replicate its success and promote rural development. The farm’s innovative practices have also become the subject of academic research, culminating in a published book authored by graduate students. “I’m here to guide and teach — not just to build a farm, but to build lives,” said Dra. Querijero. “LANDBANK made this possible by believing in my vision. The loan gave me breathing room — low interest, one-year grace period, and flexible terms — so I could focus on growing before repaying.” LANDBANK’s steadfast commitment to agriculture LANDBANK serves as the DA’s conduit bank in implementing the ACEF Lending Program, which is designed to empower marginalized players in the agriculture sector through affordable credit and support services. Under this Program, individual farmers and fishers can borrow up to ₱1 million, while cooperatives, associations, and MSMEs can access up to ₱5 million for farm inputs, machinery, and facilities essential to production and processing. As of March 2025, LANDBANK has released ₱14.6 billion in loans under the ACEF Lending Program, benefiting 97,162 borrowers nationwide — 98% of whom are small farmers and fishers. 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 declares P33.53-B cash dividends to national gov’t on strong earnings
Driven by its robust financial performance in 2024 and sustained momentum into 2025, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has declared ₱33.53 billion in cash dividends to the National Government — the highest in the Bank’s history. This record-setting cash dividend is expected to fund priority infrastructure and socio-economic programs, reaffirming LANDBANK’s critical role in advancing national development. “LANDBANK’s record-breaking dividend reflects the institution’s solid fundamentals and strategic financial management. This contribution will help power President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s infrastructure push, investments in education and healthcare, and food security agenda. And it does all this while staying true to its core mission: delivering accessible and responsive financial services to Filipinos across the country,” said Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chairman Ralph G. Recto. “I commend LANDBANK for consistently delivering strategic value—not only to its stakeholders, but to the entire Filipino nation,” he added. In 2024, the Bank remitted ₱32.12 billion in dividends — the highest among all Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs). With this year’s ₱33.53 billion declaration, LANDBANK maintains its standing as the top dividend contributor among GOCCs for the second consecutive year. “The ₱33.53 billion dividend underscores LANDBANK’s unwavering support for government priorities that uplift lives and communities across the country. It also reflects our strong financial foundation and vital role as a pillar of inclusive growth, ensuring that our sustained performance translates into real and lasting impact,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Q1 2025 net income rises 11% to ₱13.29-B LANDBANK posted a solid ₱13.29 billion net income for the first quarter of 2025, up 11% from ₱11.98 billion year-on-year and 32% above its Q1 target. LANDBANK’s total assets grew to ₱3.426 trillion, up 5% year-on-year from ₱3.268 trillion, driven by expansions in both loan and investment portfolios. Customer deposits also rose by ₱136.63 billion or 5% to ₱3.02 trillion, reflecting sustained trust in the Bank’s services. Its gross loan portfolio climbed by 8% to ₱1.58 trillion, while investments surged by 14% to ₱1.50 trillion, supported by growth in both trading and non-trading portfolios. LANDBANK’s financial strength was recently reaffirmed by Fitch Ratings, which upgraded its Viability Rating (VR) to ‘bb+’ from ‘bb’, citing stronger capital buffers, enhanced profitability, and its policy-driven mandate. ₱844.61-B in loans for agriculture and rural development Leveraging its solid financial footing, LANDBANK expanded its Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development (AFRD) loan portfolio to a record ₱844.61 billion as of Q1 2025 — representing 53.4% of its total gross loan portfolio of ₱1.58 trillion. The Bank supported nearly 28,000 new small farmers and fishers during the period, bringing total beneficiaries assisted to 4.04 million nationwide. This was accomplished through a mix of direct lending, credit conduits, and capacity-building interventions, spanning the entire agricultural value chain. LANDBANK ranks 5th in Forbes’ 2025 Best Banks in the Philippines LANDBANK climbed to 5th place in Forbes’ Best Banks 2025 survey in the Philippines, up from 8th last year. It was also recognized among the World's Best Employers for the second year in a row, ranking 4th in the Philippines in 2024 — the only government institution on the list. Now in its seventh year, the Forbes’ global ranking — conducted in partnership with Statista — surveyed over 50,000 individuals across 34 countries, evaluating banks on customer satisfaction, trust, terms and conditions, digital services, customer support, and financial advice. This recognition reflects growing confidence in LANDBANK’s mission-driven banking approach and affirms its role in advancing inclusive finance and sustainable development. 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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Deepening roots, widening reach: LANDBANK helps Bulacan co-op grow with its community
CATMON, Bulacan – In what was once a predominantly agricultural barangay of Santa Maria, Bulacan, a grassroots initiative that began with a handful of farmers under a sampaloc tree has blossomed into one of the province’s most progressive cooperatives. Backed by the steadfast support of LANDBANK, Catmon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) has thrived by growing alongside its community—evolving to meet changing needs while staying true to its agricultural roots. Growing up in Catmon, Emeliza Laurenciana, now the Chairperson of Catmon MPC, recalls the Cooperative as a constant in a community once surrounded by rice fields and backyard farms. “It’s all thanks to the unwavering support of LANDBANK that our Cooperative has flourished, allowing us to uplift the lives of so many in our community, including mine,” Laurenciana shared. From a Tree to a Vision Catmon MPC’s journey started in 1987, when 26 farmers and livestock raisers came together with a shared mission—to improve their lives and uplift their community through agriculture. Each contributed ₱500, pooling a total initial capital of ₱12,500 that would mark the foundation of what is now a pillar of grassroots development in the area. “Back then, local farmers struggled with limited access to capital, technical know-how, and reliable markets. We saw those gaps firsthand, and that became our driving force—to build a Cooperative that could offer real, lasting support where it was most needed,” shared Luisito dela Rosa, one of the 26 founding members who now serves as Catmon MPC’s General Manager. The Cooperative initially focused on livestock production, and with a small grant from the Department of Agriculture (DA), it built a feed mill—a critical asset that improved access to affordable, high-quality animal feeds for farmers across Catmon. A Timely Opportunity A pivotal moment in Catmon MPC’s history was when a representative from LANDBANK visited the Cooperative in 1989 and offered financial access. “We didn’t let that opportunity pass. Because of LANDBANK, we secured the capital we needed for rice production and other ventures,” said Dela Rosa. What started as a single loan to fund agricultural production evolved into a long-term partnership. As the landscape of Catmon shifted from farmlands to residential areas, the Cooperative kept pace by expanding its services to remain a relevant support system for its members. Through all these developments, LANDBANK remained a steadfast partner, providing not only financing but also guidance to help the co-op adapt and expand its reach. “LANDBANK’s support has always allowed us to think ahead. They helped us adapt as our surroundings changed. We’ve expanded our services not just to sustain livelihoods, but to help our members and their families build better lives,” added Laurenciana. New Products, New Purpose Today, Catmon MPC has expanded into dairy production, offering yogurt, flavored milk, and sterilized milk—products that are especially popular among the younger residents in Sta. Maria. The Cooperative also continues to provide financial and livelihood assistance to both long-time members and new households in the community. “What began under a sampaloc tree has now grown into offices and facilities serving communities across Sta. Maria, Bulacan,” shared Dela Rosa, reflecting on the Cooperative’s journey. “To grow with the community means evolving with it. We were founded on agriculture, and that will always be our foundation. But LANDBANK has helped us build on that, expanding our reach without losing sight of where we came from,” he added. Empowering Through Capacity-Building Like its partner LANDBANK, Catmon MPC emphasizes capacity-building as a core value. It regularly conducts training programs to equip members with tools to turn financial and livelihood assistance into sustainable, long-term development. Today, more than three decades since its founding, with over 14,000 members and an asset base exceeding P900 million, Catmon MPC’s continued growth is rooted in a clear vision, strong leadership, and deep ties to its community. Even amid rapid change, it embraces new opportunities, and the Cooperative remains grounded in its original mission: to serve and uplift the community of Catmon. The enduring partnership between LANDBANK and Catmon MPC reflects a shared commitment to driving local development. From a modest effort by a small group of determined farmers that has become a multi-sector cooperative, their story stands as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through trust, adaptability, and a shared mission to empower communities and build a more inclusive, sustainable future. 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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