LANDBANK Senior Vice President Charlotte I. Conde (2nd from left) and Laconon 100 Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) Chairperson Rhoda O. Pecadizo (3rd from left) lead the signing of a P212.8-million loan agreement in Surallah, South Cotabato, on 25 November 2022 to finance the co-op’s pineapple production and other agri projects. Joining them from Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) are Vice President Reynaldo C. Doria (4th from left) and Finance and Supply Chain Director Jesusa Natividad-Rojas (rightmost) for the renewal of another pineapple growership tie-up agreement.
SURALLAH, South Cotabato – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Laconon 100 Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) have signed a P212.8-million loan to finance the co-op’s pineapple production and agricultural modernization efforts, to help sustain the growth of the local pineapple industry in the province.
The financial support is expected to boost the production of pineapple farms managed by LMPC, with a combined area of over 1,400 hectares in the Municipalities of T’boli, Surallah, Lake Sebu and Banga.
“LANDBANK remains committed to empowering agricultural cooperatives nationwide via accessible financing. Through co-ops like LMPC, we are able to extend a wide range of services and opportunities to farmers and fishers, while contributing to advance local food security,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
Of the total LANDBANK loan, LMPC will utilize P200 million as working capital to support the production requirements of its 445 pineapple farmer-members, including the purchase of farm inputs, while P7.8 million will finance the purchase of two (2) farm tractors and one (1) monitoring vehicle.
The vehicles will be used for land preparation and field monitoring to effectively respond to urgent farm needs. The remaining P5-million will be allocated for LMPC’s cassava and corn trading activities.
LMPC dealt with financial difficulties due to the unexpected closure of its anchor firm and primary pineapple produce buyer in 2003, but was able to recover with LANDBANK’s credit assistance in 2017.
“Sa lahat ng pagsubok na dumating sa LMPC, hindi kami iniwan ng LANDBANK. Kami ay muling nakabangon mula sa pagkalugmok at ngayon ay mayroon na kaming mahigit sa P200 million na loan line para patuloy na maserbisyuhan ang aming mga miyembro at makapagbigay ng hanapbuhay sa komunidad,” said LMPC Chairperson Rhoda O. Pecadizo.
LMPC was able to post steady growth in net income and grow its membership with LANDBANK’s timely assistance. The co-op likewise successfully paid 100% of its previously restructured loan with the Bank in 2021 amounting to P32.5 million.
During the loan signing event, LANDBANK, LMPC and Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) also renewed their pineapple growership tie-up covered by a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement, which was initially implemented in 2017.
Under the agreement, LANDBANK will provide credit assistance and other loan support services to LMPC, with Dolefil serving as the exclusive market of the co-op’s pineapple produce while extending technical assistance throughout the whole production cycle.
LANDBANK brings financial services closer to Filipinos through regional GOCC caravan
Finance Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan (7th from right) leads the opening of the Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) Service Caravan on November 27-28, 2025, at SM City Pampanga, together with GCG Chairperson Atty. Marius P. Corpus (8th from right), SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph M. de Claro (6th from right), LANDBANK Executive Vice President Leila C. Martin, and representatives from other participating GOCCs. SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – Following the success of the inaugural event in Manila, LANDBANK reaffirms its commitment to accessible public service by participating in the regional rollout of the Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) Service Caravan on November 27-28, 2025, at SM City Pampanga. Spearheaded by the Department of Finance (DOF), the two-day caravan, themed “Serbisyo sa Bayan, Hatid ng GOCCs, Kaakbay ang DOF,” aims to bring convenient and coordinated government services directly to communities in Central Luzon, supporting the national government's thrust for greater public visibility and engagement. “This service caravan is our way of showing that public service should be accessible, visible, and centered on what the people need. By bringing these services to communities, working closely with our agencies, and helping more Filipinos understand what our GOCCs can offer, we can provide real support and strengthen trust in our government," said Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chairman Frederick D. Go, in a message delivered by Finance Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan. The caravan gathered key government institutions to provide a one-stop shop for public services. Joining LANDBANK and the DOF are the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Pag-IBIG Fund, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and other GOCCs. Accessible banking and loan services LANDBANK officers are ready to assist clients with on-site digital account opening through the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA), and other banking services at the regional GOCC Caravan. The event drew a diverse audience of pensioners, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, fishers, and urban workers from across the region, as LANDBANK showcased financial solutions tailored to the needs of Central Luzon’s sectors and communities. Featured programs include the Bank’s flagship AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, which provides timely financing to farmers and fishers for their production needs and livelihood projects, including the purchase of raw materials, machinery, equipment, and necessary working capital to operationalize activities, with a low, fixed interest rate of 3.0% per annum for greater affordability. “LANDBANK is excited to bring our services directly to the people of Pampanga and across Central Luzon. This caravan is a strategic platform to connect with our kababayans, understand their needs, and present financial solutions that can help improve their lives and grow their businesses,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. To promote financial inclusion, the Bank also facilitated on-site account opening and demonstrated the ease of using the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) for everyday transactions, such as bills payment, fund transfers, and digital loan products. The Bank also promoted the GoBayani, a digital deposit account for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipinos abroad, which provides secure access for fund transfers, e-commerce, and receiving remittances via Visa Direct, as well as the PISO Plus account, a no-maintaining-balance savings account opened via the LANDBANK MBA, ideal for receiving digital disbursements, among other Bank products. LANDBANK’s active participation in this regional caravan underscores its unwavering commitment to nation-building, and in empowering Filipinos for a better 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 country, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
LEARN MORE
Seeds of progress: LANDBANK and Nueva Ecija farmers cultivate food security
SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija — For more than three decades now, the Nueva Ecija Seed Grower Multipurpose Cooperative (NESGMPC) has been a key contributor to strengthening the country’s food security by producing high-quality inbred rice seeds, while also providing a stable and reliable source of livelihood for local farmers. Today, NESGMPC is composed of 78 active members who collectively produce up to 350,500 bags of certified inbred seeds annually, supplying Regions I, III, IV-A, V, VI, and VIII, and even reaching as far as Sultan Kudarat, Surigao del Sur, and South Cotabato. Fueling this success is the strong partnership with LANDBANK, whose credit facilities enable the cooperative to promptly pay its members for their seeds—ensuring local farmers have a ready market and dependable income. From Masagana 99 to a thriving cooperative NESGMPC traces its roots to the government’s Masagana 99 Program, a rice production initiative launched in the 1970s to help farmers increase yields and achieve rice self-sufficiency. During this period, the Maligaya Rice Research and Training Center encouraged local farmers to organize and meet the growing demand for certified seeds. What began as a small group seeking a more stable livelihood formalized into NESGMPC in 1992, earning the trust of farmers and partner agencies as one of Nueva Ecija’s most respected seed producers. From the brink to breakthrough NESGMPC’s journey was not without challenges. In 2014, the co-op faced a financial crisis with no procurement projects and only one staff member remaining. “Halos wala na kami noon, and we were barely surviving,” recalled Acting General Manager Fidel C. Patricio. Determined to save the cooperative, the new management worked without honoraria, even covering expenses from their own pockets. They rebuilt trust, restructured systems, and seized every opportunity to revive operations. A turning point came when the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 8 urgently needed 10,000 bags of certified seeds for areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda. Despite limited resources, NESGMPC’s delivered—marking the start of its steady rise. LANDBANK: A partner in recovery and expansion As NESGMPC regained momentum, LANDBANK became one of its key pillars of support. Through expanding credit lines, the Bank enabled the cooperative to buy seeds from its members and pay them early, giving farmers the liquidity to grow their operations. “Kung wala ang LANDBANK, hindi namin mararating ang ganito,” said Patricio. Beyond financing, LANDBANK also provided training in accounting, financial management, and cooperative strengthening—helping NESGMPC modernize and expand across regions. From a modest credit line, NESGMPC now enjoys up to ₱100 million in financing, enabling it to consistently meet national rice program requirements and maintain timely payments to its members. Changing lives through seed growing The co-op’s revival transformed lives. One inspiring story is Jeremias A. Geranta, a former medical technologist who found pride and purpose as a seed grower. Rising expenses pushed him to farming, and joining NESGMPC allowed him to provide for his family, expand his 2-hectare farmland, and even establish two gasoline stations and several small businesses. “Dito ko napatunayan na ‘yung pagiging isang magsasaka, particularly yung isang seed grower, ay napakagandang trabaho. Hindi lang dahil maganda ang kita, kundi nakakatulong din sa ating kapwa mamayang Pilipino,” Geranta shared. Growing beyond the fields Today, NESGMPC stands far from its 2014 struggles. With stronger governance, expanding markets, and solid institutional support, the cooperative continues to strengthen its role in national rice production. It aims to mechanize more processes, boost efficiency, and maintain the high quality of its certified seeds—while uplifting more farmers and ensuring Filipino communities have access to seeds for a stable harvest. “Habang ang Pilipino ay kumakain ng bigas, nakikita ko ang kahalagahan pa rin ng pagbibinhi. Dahil kung walang magandang binhi, walang magandang itatanim ang ating mga magsasaka,” Patricio said. In recognition of its valuable contribution to nation-building, NESGMPC was honored with a LANDBANK award as the Outstanding Agri-Based Cooperative under the Gawad PITAK (Pinakatanging Kooperatiba) Large Category during the inaugural Gawad TANYAG (Tanging Yaman at Galing) Awards, held in celebration of the Bank’s 62nd anniversary in 2025.
LEARN MORE
LANDBANK advances sustainable, inclusive agri growth at Terra Madre 2025
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (left photo) engages local enterprises and food sustainability advocates while highlighting the Bank’s P2M QR payment facility and AGRISENSO Plus program during Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 event from November 19 to 23, 2025 in Bacolod City. LANDBANK reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a sustainable and resilient food system across the country by showcasing its integrated financing programs, capacity-building initiatives, and digital solutions through its support of the inaugural Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025, held from November 19 to 23, 2025 in Bacolod City. Terra Madre Asia & Pacific, part of the global Slow Food Movement, brought together over 2,000 farmers, fishers, international chefs, indigenous leaders, and advocates from across the region to promote “good, clean, and fair” food, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable food systems. “LANDBANK and Slow Food aligns with sustainable and inclusive agriculture. Through this partnership, we aim to further strengthen local food systems, empower our farmers and fishers, and help ensure that every Filipino has access to nutritious, clean, and fairly produced food,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The Slow Food movement, founded in Italy in 1989, is dedicated to protecting local food cultures, traditional farming practices, and biodiversity. It champions food that is good in quality and taste, clean in its respect for the environment, and fair in terms of pricing and conditions for producers. Today, Slow Food is a global network present in more than 160 countries, working with diverse communities to promote sustainable, community-centered food systems. Reena Gamboa, Slow Food advocate and Executive Director of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific, emphasizes her commitment to good, clean, and fair food for all—advocating for active support for farmers and safeguarding our environment to ensure everyone has access to proper, sustainable food. “Good, clean, and fair food for all is a universal right. To achieve this, we must protect our biodiversity and environment, as this principle is inseparable from supporting our farmers and ensuring everyone has access to proper, quality food,” said Reena Gamboa, Terra Madre Executive Director. Building on these principles, LANDBANK’s agricultural programs aim to strengthen connections across the value chain. The Bank’s financial and digital services complement community-led efforts by providing stakeholders—from producers to processors to markets—with the tools and support that they need to thrive. LANDBANK’s participation as a key sponsor of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 further reflects its support for Slow Food initiatives, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient, community-driven value chains. Integrated support for farmers and fishers On November 20, LANDBANK First Vice President Allan R. Bisnar introduced AGRISENSO Plus, the Bank’s flagship lending program which delivers comprehensive value-chain support by integrating credit, technical assistance, and digital solutions, along with free life and credit life insurance. The program is designed to empower small farmers and fishers, offering customized financing, market linkages, and data-driven insights to boost productivity and efficiency. AGRISENSO Plus features a reduced fixed interest rate of 3% per annum for small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), with competitive rates for associations, cooperatives, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), large enterprises, anchor firms, and agriculture graduates. “AGRISENSO Plus reflects our commitment to strengthening the entire agricultural value chain. By combining accessible financing, capacity-building, and digital solutions, we are enabling our farmers and food producers to thrive in a rapidly changing environment and ensuring that local food systems remain resilient and sustainable,” LANDBANK PCEO Ortiz emphasized. Complementing the Program is the LANDBANK ASCEND (Agri-Fishery Support through Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development), a capacity-building initiative that provides training in digital financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise development. As of September 2025, LANDBANK has released over ₱1.96 billion in loans under the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, supporting more than 12,300 borrowers nationwide, most of whom are small farmers and fishers, following successful rollouts in key agricultural hubs across Pampanga, Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Bukidnon, Iloilo, Palawan, and Negros Occidental. Driving inclusion and digital adoption LANDBANK also showcased its digital innovations, particularly the P2M (Person-to-Merchant) QR payment facility recently launched in Negros Occidental. This interoperable solution allows consumers to enjoy waived transfer fees for purchases of ₱500 and below using QRPh-P2M via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, other banking apps, or digital wallets. LANDBANK P2M merchants, on the other hand, benefit from waived transaction fees, which encourages the adoption of digital payments. This provides farmers, MSMEs, and local enterprises with a faster, more secure, and more convenient way to receive payments—reducing cash-handling risks and expanding digital inclusion in agricultural communities. Business owners can simply enroll their existing LANDBANK accounts, with activation completed within 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 country, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
LEARN MORE
