LANDBANK Sagay Branch facilitates the account opening of unbanked Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) registrants at a registration center in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on June 2, 2021.
The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has ramped-up efforts to bring more unbanked Filipinos into the formal banking system, in support for the National Government’s financial inclusion agenda.
As of May 31, 2021, LANDBANK has onboarded a total of 3,794,882 unbanked National ID registrants for transaction accounts, of whom 1,071,177 have already received their LANDBANK Agent Banking Cards (ABCs).
The cards, which were provided free-of-charge and with no initial deposit requirement, form part of the Bank’s ongoing partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to co-locate in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) rollouts nationwide and provide unbanked registrants with their own transaction accounts.
“As we commemorate Independence Day centered on unity, LANDBANK continues to take part in the National Government’s whole-of-nation approach towards reaching and serving more unbanked and underserved Filipinos, helping them to be financially independent. We are one with government partners in fast-tracking initiatives to bridge the financial inclusion gap in the country,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
The LANDBANK ABCs are given to unbanked PhilSys registrants through LANDBANK account opening booths at designated co-location areas. As of end-May 2021, LANDBANK has co-located in more than 850 PhilSys registration centers in 32 pilot provinces nationwide.
Cardholders can use the LANDBANK ABCs to cash-in, cash-out, and transfer funds at any LANDBANK Branch or Agent Banking Partner. They can also withdraw cash at Mastercard-accepting ATMs, perform cashless transactions, shop online, and receive government subsidies digitally.
In the future, the LANDBANK ABCs may be used as contactless cards to pay fares in public transport modes under the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
With its various efforts to boost financial inclusion in the country, LANDBANK is doing its share in reducing inequality, in helping to free the unbanked from poverty, and in promoting inclusive growth. Financial inclusion provides the unbanked opportunities to save, invest, and avail of affordable credit, leading towards their financial independence.
By banking the unbanked, LANDBANK enables government cash grants and pensions to be credited directly into their accounts through cashless fund transfers.
Delivering social protection programs
Together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), LANDBANK has also distributed a total of 5.6 million LANDBANK Cash Cards to beneficiaries of social protection program nationwide as of May 31, 2021.
Of this total, 4.4 million LANDBANK Cash Cards were delivered to DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program beneficiaries. The remaining 1.2 million cash cards were distributed to Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program beneficiaries, composed of 596,761 and 643,562 beneficiaries under the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens and poor households in the DSWD’s Listahanan database, respectively.
Through the LANDBANK Cash Cards, beneficiaries receive their government subsidy in a timely, safe, and convenient manner. They can withdraw from LANDBANK’s ATMs, partner cash-out agents, as well as from the ATMs of BancNet-member banks nationwide. They can also use their cards for cashless transactions through point-of-sale (POS) machines.
Reaching unbanked and underserved municipalities
To reach more unbanked and underserved areas, LANDBANK is also expanding its Agent Banking Program by partnering with more cooperatives, rural banks, local government units, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), among others, to help provide basic banking services.
From the Program’s full implementation in March 2020 up to May 31, 2021, LANDBANK has certified 111 Full-Suite Agent Banking Partners (ABPs) operating in 48 unbanked municipalities and 159 underserved municipalities or those without a LANDBANK branch. These ABPs facilitate POS cash-out and cash-in services, fund transfers, balance inquiries, bills payment, and account opening with electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) and issuance of LANDBANK ABCs.
LANDBANK has also partnered with a total of 645 POS cash-out only ABPs as of end-May 2021, utilizing 959 terminals deployed in 130 unbanked municipalities and 829 underserved municipalities or those without a LANDBANK branch. These POS devices allow cash-out transactions not only for LANDBANK-issued cards but also for other participating BancNet ATM cards.
From January to May 2021, a total of 1,665,112 cash-out transactions amounting to P8.19 billion were facilitated by LANDBANK’s ABPs. These represent increases of 4.5% and 11% year-on-year for volume of transactions and value, respectively.
Banking on technology
The state-run Bank also launched on May 12, 2021, the Digital On-Boarding System Mobile or DOBS Mobile which facilitates online savings account opening anytime, anywhere, in as fast as 10 to 15 minutes—free-of-charge and with no initial deposit requirement—without the need to visit a LANDBANK branch.
Powered by Artificial Intelligence, the LANDBANK DOBS Mobile allows interested clients to fill out application forms online, take a “selfie” and upload a valid identification card through the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) on their mobile device. This eliminates the need to visit and line up in branches to open an account and support the government’s health protocols during this pandemic.
Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that a basic indicator of financial inclusion for sustainable and equitable national development is ownership of an account held in banks, e-money wallets, and microfinance institutions (MFIs) used to save, send or receive remittance, as well as for income, benefits, and bills payment. In its 2019 financial inclusion survey, the BSP said only 20.9 million Filipinos or 23% of the population own an account.
For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), and join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
LANDBANK expands operations in Davao de Oro, opens new branch
(left photo) LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (6th from right) and Davao de Oro First District Representative Congresswoman Maria Carmen S. Zamora (8th from right) lead the ribbon cutting at the inauguration of the LANDBANK Monkayo Branch in Davao de Oro on 09 November 2023. Joining them are LANDBANK Director Atty. David D. Erro (4th from right), Monkayo Councilor Manuel N. Zamora, Jr. (10th from right), together with other LANDBANK senior executives and local government officials. MONKAYO, Davao de Oro – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) continues to advance financial inclusion in the country with the opening of its newest branch in the first-class town of Monkayo in the province of Davao de Oro. Located in Barangay Poblacion, the LANDBANK Monkayo Branch makes banking services more convenient to clients from the 73 combined barangays of Monkayo and the neighboring towns of Compostela, Montevista and New Bataan. This is the second LANDBANK branch in Davao de Oro, replacing the previous LANDBANK Easy Access Facility (LEAF) in the municipality, to provide improved and expanded banking services to the Province. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Davao de Oro First District Representative Congresswoman Maria Carmen S. Zamora led the inauguration rites for the LANDBANK Monkayo Branch on 09 November 2023. They were joined by LANDBANK Director Atty. David D. Erro, Monkayo Councilor Manuel N. Zamora, Jr., and other LANDBANK senior executives and local government officials. “To keep in stride with local developments—not to mention Monkayo being the most populous town in the Province—we deemed it fitting to upgrade the previous LEAF into a full-fledged branch. We are now able to offer a wider range of services, as we complement the local government's vision of establishing a one-stop shop for basic public services,” said LANDBANK President Ortiz. For her part, Congresswoman Zamora thanked LANDBANK for its unwavering service to the nation and the Filipino people. “Without LANDBANK, government could not reach far-flung areas and could not reach ordinary Filipinos who need services,” she said. The newly inaugurated branch is equipped with an automated teller machine (ATM) and cash deposit machine (CDM) to facilitate fast, safe, and timely cash withdrawals and deposits of residents from the covered areas. LANDBANK clients who will benefit from the new touchpoint include over 53,000 Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (CCT/UCT) program beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 7,000 farmers and fishers, as well as government employees, teachers, and students, among others. The LANDBANK Monkayo Branch likewise features a Digital Corner where customers can open a deposit account in as fast as 15 minutes or less using the Bank’s Digital Onboarding System (DOBS). Opening an account via DOBS provides automatic enrollment to LANDBANK’s digital banking channels for safe and convenient online transactions. LANDBANK is the only bank present in all 82 provinces in the country, with a network of 606 branches and branch-lite units and 59 lending centers, 16 of which are in Mindanao. LANDBANK’s continued expansion across the country underscores its commitment to bringing banking services closer to its mandated and priority sectors, especially in unbanked and underserved areas.
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Batanes LGU, LANDBANK ink partnership for convenient online payments
Batanes Governor Marilou H. Cayco (2nd from left) and LANDBANK Basco Branch Head Joseph Caliguiran (3rd from left) lead the MOA signing for the use of the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal facility on 12 October 2023. Joining them are Acting Provincial Treasurer Cristina Caccam (leftmost) and LANDBANK Acting Branch Service Officer Aniceto Ferdinand Mariano (rightmost). BASCO, Batanes – The Provincial Government of Batanes and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) have partnered for the use of the Bank’s Link.BizPortal channel to facilitate online payments for the local government unit (LGU). The LANDBANK Link.BizPortal allows residents to conveniently settle local fees, dues, and charges online at their convenience with just a few clicks on their computers or mobile devices. “LANDBANK will continue to support the digital journey of Batanes with innovative products and services. We look forward to more fruitful collaborations in advancing responsive public service delivery,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Batanes Governor Marilou H. Cayco and LANDBANK Basco Branch Head Joseph Caliguiran led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the partnership at the Provincial Governor’s Office on 12 October 2023. Governor Cayco thanked LANDBANK for its continued assistance and promoted the utilization of the Link.BizPortal among Ivatans. “Dahil dito, mas mapapadali at mapapagaan ang pagbabayad ng ating mga customers. Maraming salamat sa buong LANDBANK lalo na kay Manager Caliguiran sa walang humpay na tulong sa Kapitolyo at sa buong Batanes,” Governor Cayco said. The Provincial Government of Batanes has been the top depositor of the LANDBANK Basco Branch since 1992 and remains among its valued clients. It is also the first LGU in Batanes to avail of the Bank’s various digital banking products, including ATM payroll servicing and weAccess, among others.
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P4.3-B LANDBANK loan to back Pangasinan’s infra, health dev’t
Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III (3rd from left) and LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (4th from left) lead the signing of a P4.3 billion sub-loan agreement to finance the Pangasinan LGU’s various development projects on 25 October 2023 at the LANDBANK Plaza in Malate, Manila. They are joined by Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino (2nd from left), Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II (leftmost), and LANDBANK Senior Vice Presidents Ma. Celeste A. Burgos (5th from left) and Filipina B. Monje (rightmost). MALATE, Manila – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) greenlighted a P4.3 billion loan to the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, geared towards the improved delivery of public, health and tourism services in the Province. The loan is part of the P6 billion omnibus term loan agreement signed by the LGU and the state-run Bank earlier this year to fund the priority development projects in Pangasinan. The signing of the agreement was led by Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III and LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz on 25 October 2023 at LANDBANK Plaza in Malate, Manila. They were joined by Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II, Acting Provincial Treasurer Cristy C. Ubando, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Baby Ruth F. Torre and Provincial Accountant Atty. Marlon C. Operaña, along with LANDBANK Senior Vice Presidents Ma. Celeste A. Burgos and Filipina B. Monje. “LANDBANK remains committed to supporting Pangasinan’s transformative journey towards a more inclusive and sustainable local economy through our wide array of support services. We look to expedite progress within the Province for the improved delivery of basic and medical services, increased socio-economic activities, and a more robust local tourism sector,” said President Ortiz. Of the P4.3 billion loan, P1.8 billion is earmarked for the construction of an 11-storey government center in the Municipality of Lingayen, designed to house the offices of the Provincial Government and national government agencies. Another P500 million is allocated for the development of the Provincial Capitol Complex. To provide better health care for Pangasinenses, P758 million will be used for the purchase of advanced hospital equipment, including computed tomography (CT) scanners, x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound machines for the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, six (6) district hospitals and seven (7) community hospitals in the Province. Meanwhile, P700 million is set to fund the acquisition of land and construction of support facilities for the Bolinao airport in Bolinao, Pangasinan. The remaining P500 million will help establish a corporate center for businesses and other commercial spaces to help stimulate local economic activity. “We’re rolling out and implementing impactful projects that will boost the economy and improve the lives of our people. We are thankful for our partners like LANDBANK, who are ready to support us as we invest in the future of Pangasinan,” said Governor Guico III. LANDBANK remains a major development partner of the local government sector, supporting the financing requirements for inclusive local development in line with its broader thrust of serving the nation.
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