LANDBANK President and CEO and OFBank Chairperson Lynette V. Ortiz (Center), OFBank OIC Atty. Reo S. Andarino (5th from left), and DMW OIC-Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac (3rd from left) lead the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement to fast-track the delivery of indemnity claims for OFWs affected by company closures in Saudi Arabia. Joining them as witnesses are DMW Usec. Maria Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones (leftmost) and Usec. Bernard P. Olalia (2nd from left), together with LANDBANK Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron (6th from left), and OFBank Relationship Officer Jose Aryiel G. Castor. (rightmost).
The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank), and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) have joined forces to expedite the delivery of indemnity claims to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) displaced by the bankruptcies of Saudi Arabian construction companies in 2015 and 2016.
The collaboration will integrate and streamline the processes of LANDBANK and OFBank with the DMW, to fast-track the processing and crediting of checks as compensation for the unpaid wages and other benefits of affected OFWs, including the claimant families of eligible workers already deceased.
As of 29 February 2024, LANDBANK and OFBank have credited a total of 1,211 checks to affected OFWs amounting to US$16.4 Million.
LANDBANK President and CEO and OFBank Chairperson Lynette V. Ortiz, OFBank OIC Atty. Reo S. Andarino, and DMW OIC-Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac led the signing of the tripartite Memorandum of Agreement at the DMW Office in Pasig on 01 March 2024. Witnesses include DMW Undersecretaries Maria Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones and Bernard P. Olalia, alongside LANDBANK Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron, and OFBank Relationship Officer Jose Aryiel G. Castor.
“We're happy to be able to help with this project for our OFWs. We want to ensure that the back pays of all our displaced kababayans are delivered at the soonest possible time,” said LANDBANK President and CEO and OFBank Chairperson Ortiz.
LANDBANK will offer over-the-counter banking services to eligible OFWs to claim their indemnity claims, free of charge, through the Bank’s extensive network of 607 branches and branch-lite units nationwide.
The Bank will likewise coordinate with foreign depository banks in monitoring the Outward Bills for Collection (OBC) from the OFWs, and facilitate the flow of inward funds to the OFBank accounts of their beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the OFBank will assist OFWs and their beneficiaries, including those who are currently overseas, with opening an account and accessing the Bank’s digital services, while collaborating with the DMW in raising awareness on the procedures covering the negotiation of indemnity checks from foreign employers.
OFBank will also spearhead the provision of financial education services to OFWs particularly on savings and investment management and accessing the Bank’s digital services.
“We are thankful for this long-standing partnership. Ang tulong ng LANDBANK sa ating mga OFWs ay di matatawaran. And the good news is we can do so much more. Among others, this matter on the claims of the workers in Saudi Arabia is very high on the agenda,” said DMW OIC-Secretary Cacdac.
The DMW will be coordinating with all the identified beneficiaries and will provide assistance on the procedures for the negotiation of the checks. The department will also maintain a helpline to immediately respond to the inquiries of qualified OFWs and their beneficiaries.
The DMW will likewise handle the negotiation for the cases of deceased eligible OFWs in favor of their identified heirs and family members.
ABOUT LANDBANK
LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation and sustainable development to benefit Filipinos. It is committed to provide responsive and meaningful services beyond banking, while leveraging on innovative technology for safe, convenient, and accessible digital banking solutions.
ABOUT OFBank
The OFBank, a fully-owned subsidiary of LANDBANK, is the country’s first digital government Bank which is focused on serving the diverse banking and financing requirements of Filipinos overseas. The Bank is serving clients from a total of 132 countries and territories as of 29 February 2024, including the top 10 destinations for the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
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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