LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa Borromeo (center) receives the Outstanding CEO Award 2023 from ADFIAP Chairman Mominul Islam (right) and Royal Government of Cambodia delegate and ARDB Bank CEO Dr. Kao Thach (left) at the ADFIAP Development Awards in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa Borromeo was hailed as ‘Outstanding CEO for 2023’ during the annual Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) Development Awards on 16 May 2023 held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The “Outstanding CEO Award 2023” is granted by ADFIAP to a practicing Chief Executive Officer whose exceptional leadership, vision, and achievements have made a significant impact on his or her institution, the development banking profession, and the country’s development.
The award recognizes Borromeo’s accomplishments in steering the Bank’s transformation as a development-oriented institution at the forefront of nation-building.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition from peers in development finance. This accolade extends to the men and women of LANDBANK who are passionate in service, committed to the pursuit of excellence, and inspired to make a positive difference,” said President Borromeo.
President Borromeo led LANDBANK’s intensified support to agriculture, by almost quadrupling the number of small farmers and fishers assisted from 889,669 in June 2019 to 3.5 million by the end of 2022, exceeding its commitment to reach 3 million small farmers and fishers by 2022.
The Bank’s agri loans also grew to P261.7 billion—the highest in the industry—which supported all components of the agriculture value chain.
Under her leadership, LANDBANK became a key player in advancing the National Government’s financial inclusion agenda, by onboarding a total of 8.35 million previously unbanked Filipinos who are registrants in the National ID program.
President Borromeo likewise pushed for the continued expansion of LANDBANK’s reach, especially in unserved and underserved areas. LANDBANK is the only bank present in all 82 provinces of the country, with touchpoints in 80% of the 1,634 cities and municipalities nationwide.
It was also during her term that LANDBANK ramped up its digitalization drive towards providing digital solutions to meet the growing needs of customers, posting year-on-year growths of 14% amounting to 155.8 million transactions and 126% for P5.6 trillion in value, respectively, in 2022.
LANDBANK breached the P3-trillion mark in total assets and P30-billion in net income in 2022, posting an asset growth of 21.5% to P3.1 trillion and a jump of 38.2% in net income to P30.1 billion, respectively.
President Borromeo’s term also saw the establishment of LANDBANK’s subsidiary, the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank), as a digital bank and the first branchless bank in the Philippines catering especially to Overseas Filipino Workers and Overseas Filipinos.
Other ADFIAP Awards
At the awarding ceremony, LANDBANK also bagged an Environmental Development award for its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) on Animal Waste Management project, which promotes biodigester technology as a pollution control system for piggery farm operations.
Piggery farm operations normally generate methane gas, which is a greenhouse gas (GHG). Through this technology, methane gas is captured, converted into energy resource to be utilized for farm operations, enabling reduction of GHG and its harmful effects.
The Bank also received a Merit Award on Financial Inclusion for offering Online Deposit Account Opening and Purchase of Retail Treasury Bonds, which allows clients to open an account and purchase Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB) offered by the Bureau of the National Treasury (BTr).
LANDBANK is the only government entity that offers an online ordering platform for bond issuances of the National Government.
ADFIAP serves as the focal point of all development banks and other financial institutions engaged in development financing across the Asia-Pacific region, with the mission to advance sustainable development through its members.
The annual ADFIAP Awards recognizes member-institutions that have made important contributions to national development.
UP, LANDBANK team up to boost scholarships and digital services
A Future for Inclusive Education. (seated) UP President Angelo A. Jimenez (4th from left) and LANDBANK Executive Vice President Leila C. Martin (5th from left) lead the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 01 August 2025 at UP Diliman in Quezon City, formalizing a partnership to support student scholarships, faculty development, and digital financial inclusion across the UP community. Towards advancing inclusive and quality education, and corporate social responsibility (CSR), LANDBANK and the University of the Philippines (UP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide employee-funded scholarships, faculty development grants, and campus-wide digital banking services. Under the MOU, LANDBANK will support the University’s LINGAP-ISKOLAR Program by providing scholarships to select students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), as well as support for professorial chair and faculty grants for UP educators. The initiative is uniquely fully-funded through voluntary donations from the more than 12,000 LANDBANK employees nationwide, aligned with the Bank’s commitment to CSR. “We are proud to walk alongside UP in shaping the next generation of leaders, changemakers, and nation-builders. Whether by funding education or supporting faculty development, LANDBANK is committed to helping expand access to quality education and financial services — especially in underserved communities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz in a statement. UP President Angelo A. Jimenez and LANDBANK Executive Vice President Leila C. Martin led the ceremonial signing of the MOU on 01 August 2025 at Quezon Hall, UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City. They were joined by UP Executive Vice President Leo D.P. Cubillan, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Ma. Shari Niña G. Oliquino, Office of Admissions Director Francisco N. De Los Reyes, and LANDBANK Senior Vice Presidents Marilou L. Villafranca and Catherine Rowena B. Villanueva as official witnesses to the partnership. CSR and Digital Access Integration The partnership reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to empower Filipino students and educators towards progressive, and inclusive national development, aligned with the Bank’s CSR Pillars of S.E.R.V.E.—Sustainability, Environment, Resilience, Volunteerism, and Education. The collaboration includes the rollout of LANDBANK’s Cash-Lite Campus initiative, which promotes cashless transactions across the UP community. The program offers students, faculty, staff, campus vendors, and public transport providers access to digital banking services, including online account opening via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, QR payments, and e-commerce features, ensuring faster, safer, and more convenient daily transactions. Support for Admissions and Employability LANDBANK also assisted in promoting the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) through its branches and online channels, and provided free transportation for examinees in provincial areas during the 2 to 3 August 2025 test days. The Bank will likewise offer internship opportunities and prioritize UP graduates for employment across LANDBANK, its subsidiaries, and foundation. Meanwhile, UP will identify scholarship and grant beneficiaries and help roll out LANDBANK’s financial education and digital banking services through campus-wide engagements. 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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BIR, LANDBANK team-up for tax portal for digital services
QUEZON CITY — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has tapped LANDBANK to develop the Value-Added Tax on Digital Services (VDS) Portal, a dedicated platform for Digital Service Providers (DSPs) located outside the Philippines to conveniently file and pay Value-Added Tax (VAT) obligations online for their in-country services. BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. and LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz formalized the partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on 8 July 2025 at the BIR National Office Building in Quezon City. The collaboration is in line with Republic Act No. 12023, which mandates the imposition of VAT on foreign digital service providers for services consumed within the country. LANDBANK will serve as the solution provider for the portal’s development and maintenance, while BIR will oversee implementation and policy compliance, to support the government’s push for digital tax administration and greater revenue mobilization in the digital economy. 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, DOST-TAPI strengthen partnership to support Filipino innovators
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (3rd from left) and DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena (2nd from left) sign the partnership for the enhanced I-TECH Lending Program, designed to provide accessible financing to Filipino inventors and technology developers. Witnessing the signing ceremony on 15 July 2025 at Okada Manila are LANDBANK Executive Vice President Ma. Celeste A. Burgos (rightmost) and DOST- TAPI Investment and Business Operations Division Manager Romeo M. Javate (leftmost). In a joint push to advance innovation and inclusive technological development, LANDBANK and the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) have formalized a renewed partnership to provide greater support for Filipino inventors and technology developers. Central to the collaboration is the Innovation and Technology (I-TECH) Lending Program, designed to provide affordable and accessible financing to help inventors commercialize their patented technologies and bring them to market. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena formalized the partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) signing on 15 July 2025 at Okada Manila. LANDBANK EVP Ma. Celeste A. Burgos and DOST-TAPI Investment & Business Operation Division Manager Romeo M. Javate witnessed the signing. “At LANDBANK, we firmly believe that technology is a key driver of inclusive growth that opens doors to a better, more sustainable future for all. We believe in the potential of every Filipino innovator, and we are here to back that potential every step of the way,” said LANDBANK PCEO Ortiz. Under the enhanced I-TECH Lending Program, LANDBANK serves as the primary lending conduit, while DOST-TAPI administers the Invention Guarantee Fund (IGF) to fund the program. Empowering innovators with accessible financing The I-TECH Lending Program introduces several enhancements to better serve target beneficiaries, broadening its reach and maximizing impact. To encourage wider participation, the previous loan ceiling of P12.5 million has been removed, allowing eligible borrowers to access up to 85% of the total project cost, and up to 80% for land acquisition. Loan interest charges have likewise been waived through funding sourced from the IGF, enabling the Program to operate as an off-book facility for LANDBANK, and lowering the financial burden on borrowers. These enhancements are in line with Republic Act No. 7459, or the Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines, which aims to empower local innovators through financial and non-financial assistance. As of 30 June 2025, a total of P32.25 million in loans has been released under the I- TECH Lending Program. Through this enhanced partnership, LANDBANK and DOST-TAPI reaffirm their commitment to empowering Filipino innovators, transforming homegrown ideas into sustainable, high-impact enterprises, and helping build a robust technology-driven economy. 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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