Left photo: Now heavily involved in the family business, Arjay Vasquez encouraged his father to invest in mechanization. Right Photo: Husband and wife Romeo and Josefa Consuelo Vasquez showcase their innovative farming technique of growing seeds on trays before they are transplanted to the prepared field. Born to a landless tenant farmer in San Mateo, Isabela, Romeo Vasquez was determined to improve his life. He worked odd jobs to support himself through college, eventually earning an Agricultural Engineering Degree from the Central Luzon State University. After graduation, he worked double jobs in Manila as sales representative for a fertilizer company and as a jeepney driver at night. Then with a growing family of his own, he saved all his extra earnings and commissions to buy farm lots. But in 1986, he was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his left leg, which had to be amputated. Although his doctor gave him a small chance of complete recovery from the cancer, Romeo refused to give in and instead worked harder for his family. While he remained employed in the fertilizer company, he started cultivating his one-hectare palay farm in his native San Mateo. However, the year 1991 dealt him with both a blessing and a setback – his doctor pronounced him cancer-free, but the fertilizer company he was working for closed down. This prompted him to go back to his farm and, with an additional two hectares mortgaged by local farmers, he created R.S. Vasquez Enterprises as a full-time palay trading, rice milling, and seed production business. Seeking to make quality rice accessible to ordinary consumers, they created their own Mestizo Rice variety, which became sought-after not only in Isabela, but also in neighboring provinces and in Metro Manila. The business gradually expanded, especially after the Land Bank of the Philippines provided credit lines in 2004, which the couple partly used to supply neighboring farmers with their own seed variety for free. In return, the farmers would sell them their harvest. Technology-enabled farming His son, Arjay Rusell, who has been involved in the farm since 2012, encouraged Romeo to invest on mechanization and made sure that the company adopted the latest in rice production technologies. Romeo regularly attended agriculture-related training courses and linked up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for technical assistance and continuing skills training, which exposed him to various agricultural innovations. R. S. Vasquez Enterprises also began the production of seeds grown in plastic trays containing combined pulverized soil and organic matter. The seedlings are regularly watered before being transplanted to the prepared field using mechanical transplanters. Because of these innovations, the DA named Engr. Vasquez as National Consultant in hybrid rice promotion to teach farmers proper farm waste management, inter-cropping, and other good practices in agribusiness. He has also won various awards through the years, including the Agricultural Entrepreneur Gold Award in The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines in 2013 and the 3rd place under the Outstanding SME Agri-based Category of the LANDBANK Gawad SME 2018. The business has since then become a family affair, with their sons on top of introducing the latest farming technologies. They now farm several hectares of land and also advocate farm mechanization by helping set up mechanized farm learning centers that teach proper land preparation, farm site development, and irrigation. The Enterprise has also generated more than 80 jobs for the community through its palay trading, seeds production, goat raising, and vegetable production businesses. They recently opened a new agricultural supply business, where they also offer free consultancy on palay production activities and agricultural inputs. Affordable Financing LANDBANK remains aggressive in providing credit support to farmers like Romeo Vasquez, in pursuit of its drive to help more farmers and fishers boost their production and increase their income. “As we make direct financing available to more small farmers and fishers nationwide, we also strongly encourage them to invest on mechanization and adopt other agricultural technologies, as this will significantly decrease production cost and improve their harvest,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. LANDBANK helps small farmers to engage in mechanization through its various credit programs. These include the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF), which helps small farmers and fishers (SFF), their cooperatives and associations, as well as Micro and Small Enterprises, in their crop production requirements and purchase of agri-machineries, equipment, and facilities. Another program that LANDBANK implements is the DA-funded Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF), which farmers can tap for their rice production or acquisition of rice farm equipment or machinery. This is available to rice farmers registered in the Registry System on Basic Sectors in Agriculture or RSBSA, and to DA-accredited cooperatives. The ACEF Lending Program and ERCA-RCEF now have interest rates fixed at only 2% per annum to make them more affordable for small farmers. The Bank also standardized at 5% per annum the interest rates for most of its direct lending programs for SFFs. These include the Accessible Funds for Delivery to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (AFFORD-ARBs) Program, which provides loans to finance production of rice, corn, and high-value crops, as well as the acquisition of small farm implements.
READ MORELANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (center), Zambales Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. (4th from right), and Masinloc Mayor Arsenia J. Lim (3rd from left) lead the ribbon cutting at the inauguration of the LANDBANK Masinloc Branch in Brgy. Inhobol, Masinloc, Zambales. Joining them are Masinloc Vice-Mayor Pedro O. Enciso (2nd form right), LANDBANK offiicals namely (from L-R) Zambales Lending Center Department Manager Ma. Marita S. San Diego, Central Luzon Branches Group First Vice President Sylvia C. Lim, Masinloc Branch Head Ruth B. Panes, Branch Banking Sector Head Executive Vice President Julio D. Climaco, Jr., and Iba Branch Department Manager Emma M. Galvez. In line with its aggressive efforts to promote financial inclusion especially to the unbanked and underserved areas in the country, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) officially inaugurated its new branch in Masinloc, Zambales—the first commercial bank in the 1st class municipality. The Masinloc Branch will provide access to financial services and credit assistance to clients in the area, including neighboring municipalities of Candelaria and Sta. Cruz, covering a total of 54 barangays. This is the 4th LANDBANK branch in the province of Zambales, complementing its operations in Iba, Subic, and Olongapo City. LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo led the inauguration alongside Zambales Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. and Masinloc Mayor Arsenia J. Lim. They were joined by Masinloc Vice-Mayor Pedro O. Enciso and LANDBANK officials, namely Branch Banking Sector Head Executive Vice President Julio D. Climaco, Jr., Central Luzon Branches Group First Vice President Sylvia C. Lim, Zambales Lending Center Department Manager Ma. Marita S. San Diego, Iba Branch Department Manager Emma M. Galvez, and Masinloc Branch Head Ruth B. Panes. “LANDBANK’s expanding reach in Zambales is a testament to our commitment to support the economic growth of the province. The opening of the Masinloc Branch is also consistent with our inclusive development thrust of establishing additional touchpoints for our priority sectors—the farmers and fishers who are in need of our services the most,” President Borromeo said. LANDBANK is currently servicing more than 10,000 farmers and fishers in the province engaged in rice production, trading, and fishing. Aside from having two Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), the Masinloc Branch also has a Digital Banking Corner installed with the Digital Onboarding System (DOBS), designed to help clients to open new accounts in just 10 to 15 minutes. Clients will also have access to the LANDBANK Link.Biz Portal which facilitates online payments for taxes, application fees, and other dues in 700-enrolled public and private institutions. The Masinloc Branch is the first LANDBANK branch inaugurated this year, to be followed by branches in Mangatarem and Umingan in Pangasinan, Tangub in Misamis Occidental, and Tubigon in Bohol. LANDBANK has a network of 409 branches, 46 lending centers, 2,195 ATMs, and 160 Cash Deposit Machines nationwide.
READ MOREHAMTIC, Antique – Melbert Gabriel Fadrigo sailed oceans and seas for seven years before deciding to retire and return to his family’s rice and corn farm in this town. With the help of Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), Fadrigo availed of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) for the acquisition of his brand-new four-wheeled tractor with rotavator. “Sa una ang tingin mo sa farming, parang mahina ang kita. Pero habang tumatagal na, makikita mo na basta may tamang diskarte at equipment, malaki rin talaga ang kikitain. Bakit ka pa magbabarko kung yung kikitain mo dun, kikitain mo rin dito sa lupa?” Fadrigo explained. The youngest among three siblings, Fadrigo learned of the hardships that come with the manual tilling of land at an early age, accompanying his father plant rice and corn seeds in their 12-hectare agricultural land while he was still in high school. Back then, farming was laborious. Plowing a hectare of their land took two to three days using their trusted carabao. It also cost them more as their kuliglig or improvised tractors required more crude oil to run, more workers to operate, and more time needed to cultivate their land as compared to modern tractors. Before turning to full-time farming, Fadrigo first tried his luck as a cook in a cargo ship in 2010. Even then, he knew that his father needed someone who could continue their family’s legacy in farming. Fadrigo finally decided to take over the management of the family’s farm from his father in 2017. But he knew that he needed to adopt modern technology in order to increase their farm’s productivity. “Kinausap ko yung father ko na kumuha kami ng isang tractor kasi napaghuhulihan talaga kami kapag kuliglig ang gamit. Nung una nagbabayad pa kami sa isang co-op para maka-renta ng tractor. Doon namin nakita na iba talaga kapag may tractor ka dahil mas mabilis at maayos ang pagtatanim sa lupa,” Fadrigo explained. LANDBANK assisted Fadrigo in reaching for his aspiration to mechanize their farming methods. A year after he decided to become a full-time farmer, Fadrigo’s application for the ACEF program was approved by LANDBANK Antique Satellite Office, making him the first-ever ACEF availer in the province. This enabled him to procure the Php900,000-priced tractor. Since Fadrigo acquired the tractor, their productivity and income significantly increased. From spending two to three days for land preparation, they can now complete the job in just two hours for one hectare of land. Using his tractor, he was also able to earn extra income by servicing neighbouring farms in the localities of Hamtic, San Jose, Sibalom, and Tobias Fornier, which he charges for Php3,000 to Php6,000 depending on the land size. And since availing of the ACEF program, he has employed six regular farm workers to man their farm and operate their equipment. “Ang laking tulong talaga ng ACEF dahil dito nabili namin yung tractor, gumaan yung trabaho namin, at higit sa lahat lumaki ang kita namin. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa LANDBANK sa tulong na nabigay nila sa amin,” Fadrigo shared. Moving forward, Fadrigo hopes to expand his business to rice trading by acquiring his own solar and mechanical dryers, and warehouse, also with the help of LANDBANK. The ACEF Lending Program is a joint program of the Department of Agriculture and LANDBANK which aims to provide necessary credit to farmers and fishers, their cooperatives and associations, and micro and small enterprises to increase their productivity, and to enhance the competitiveness of agricultural players. Interested borrowers may contact LANDBANK’s Programs Management Department I (PMD I) at tel. nos. 8-522-0000 locals 7450, 2992, 2804 or go to the nearest LANDBANK Lending Center, for more information.
READ MORECAGAYAN DE ORO, Misamis Oriental – In the uplands of this town, Ruben Gicabao and wife Lilibeth run an agri-business trading company which helps support the livelihood of some 500 small farmers in their community and neighboring areas who plant cassava, a nutrient-dense root vegetable used as raw material in food processing. Leaving his job in Manila after his father passed away in 2004, Ruben decided to revisit his father’s hometown in Cagayan de Oro City where he would eventually expand his father’s cassava trading business, the Agri de Oro VMB Marketing. The company started its operations by purchasing cassava from small farmers within their 50-meter radius in the neighboring towns of the Provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. “We process the cassava from the farmers to produce granules which are sold to feed mills and traders. But as the demand for cassava chips rose over the years, my wife and I realized that we needed more capital to purchase enough cassava from more farmers, at the right and justifiable price,” Ruben said. In 2008, the couple applied for, and was granted a short-term loan (STL) assistance from Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), which enabled them to work with about 500 small farmers who plant cassava, even just in their own backyards. Ruben also employs up to 30 laborers for his agri-business, helping provide employment for the local community. On top of this, he would sometimes offer financial assistance to the farmers when cassava is not yet in season, as he understood the financial challenges of small farmers in terms of capital. “Through LANDBANK’s assistance, we were able to expand our business and market. Currently, Agri de Oro VMB Marketing already distributes cassava chips to big companies like San Miguel Foods Corporation, Bounty Fresh Food, Inc., New YUNG Yang Felan Farm, and Agricola, to name a few,” Ruben added. More than just cassava trading, Ruben’s agri-business continues to support not only his own family, but also the small farmers, their families, and the local community. To date, LANDBANK has supported Agri de Oro VMB Marketing through financial assistance worth Php20 million, promoting inclusive growth especially in unbanked and underserved areas. LANDBANK provides financial assistance to agri-businessmen like Ruben, who are the unsung catalysts for countryside development and poverty alleviation. It is the biggest credit provider to small farmers and fishers, and microenterprises among government financial institutions. Last year, LANDBANK’s loans to the agriculture sector reached P236.31 billion, exceeding its yearend target of P231.25 billion. Of this amount, P44.82 billion were outstanding loans to small farmers, fishers, cooperatives, and farmers associations, while P191.49 billion were loans to other players in the agri-business value chain.
READ MORESan Miguel Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAMMUCO) Board of Directors and Management Team led by General Manager Rev. Ariel M. Gonzales (3rd from right). The cooperative’s services include loans for palay and corn production, and rental of farm tractors (inset) acquired through Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), helping local farmers modernize their production. SABLAYAN, Occidental Mindoro – In the remote sitio of San Miguel in Barangay Claudio Salgado, farmers here have learned to fend for themselves. Mostly living without the conveniences found in larger towns and cities, including access to financial services, they are left with no other choice but to turn to informal lenders to fund their crop production. This prompted Baptist Pastor Rev. Ariel M. Gonzales to form a group of 16 farmers from their church. Pooling P1,000 from each member as initial capital, the group started to offer loans to farmers with an affordable interest rate. In December 1996, with financial support from the Gintong Ani Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), Pastor Ariel established the San Miguel Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAMMUCO), with him acting as its general manager. A year later, with the co-op’s membership base steadily growing, Pastor Ariel sought LANDBANK’s assistance through a Short-Term Loan Line (STLL) to finance their relending services for palay and corn production, improve its facilities, and expand to other businesses. With LANDBANK’s assistance, SAMMUCO is now also able to offer loans at a lower interest rate of 1% per month. “We have a great relationship with LANDBANK for the last 20 years. We saw our partnership progress, and we thank them for providing us with financial assistance at a very low interest rate,” said Pastor Ariel. Today, SAMMUCO buys the produce of its members in bulk at prevailing prices, and sells these in nearby provinces such as Oriental Mindoro and Batangas, since accessibility and transportation remains to be a challenge for small farmers. The co-op has also diversified its business and now runs a gas station, water station, plus plans to open a one-stop shop, and a mini hardware store. “Gaining the community’s trust proved to be a challenge at the beginning because most of the cooperatives in the area did not prosper, but we persisted. Everyone had their doubts but we overcame that by being transparent. We instilled a culture of trust among our members,” Pastor Ariel said. Currently, SAMMUCO has 280 farmer-members in their area and in neighboring barangays. The co-op also offers rental of post-harvest facilities such as harvesters, tractors, warehouse, and solar and mechanical dryers. SAMMUCO also prioritizes continuous education by offering technical skills trainings to its members. “Malayo kami sa bayan, more than 50 kilometers, pero napaabot pa rin sa amin ng LANDBANK ang kanilang serbisyo sa amin. And we are happy that we are able to contribute to our community, generate jobs, and help enrich the lives of our farmer-members. Their children were able to finish college. LANDBANK has been providing us with moral and financial support to achieve all of this. They never fail to guide us in managing our cooperative. Their support is what keeps us going,” Pastor Ariel added. For the past 57 years, LANDBANK remains steadfast in delivering intensified support to small farmers and fishers (SFFs). As of end-June this year, LANDBANK has extended loans to agriculture sector amounting to P227.47 Billion—P7.97 Billion or 3.6 percent more than the P219.5 Billion as of June 2019. For more information about LANDBANK’s Lending Programs, 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.
READ MOREThe local government of Rosario in Agusan del Sur recently availed of LANDBANK’s RISE UP LGUs Lending Program to finance the acquisition of heavy equipment, purchase of land, and construction of public terminal and public market. ROSARIO, Agusan del Sur – The local government unit (LGU) of Rosario in Agusan del Sur has sought the assistance of Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to finance priority projects amounting to P392 million under the Bank’s Restoration and Invigoration Package for a Self-sufficient Economy towards Upgrowth for LGUs (RISE UP LGUs) Lending Program. Part of the projects to be financed by LANDBANK for this 2nd class municipality are the acquisition of heavy equipment, purchase of land for local development, and construction of a public terminal and market. “We are honored and excited to partner with the Rosario LGU as we see their dedication in assisting our stakeholders, which are the farmers. We hope that, in a way, this will contribute in cushioning the effect of this pandemic to the local economy,” said LANDBANK CARAGA South Lending Center Head Arnel M. Caalim. Additionally, the LGU is looking to purchase one six-wheeler and one 10-wheeler trucks for its logistical requirements, as well as a dump truck and a garbage compactor with auto-loader for better disposal and segregation of waste materials. The heavy equipment are seen to reduce operational expenses and provide additional income to the local coffers as these can be rented-out to neighboring LGUs. Meanwhile, the development of their public terminal and market will also help Rosario farmers augment their income since more consumers will be able to reach them while cheaper market stall rentals can be offered to them. “We would like to thank LANDBANK for being a partner of LGU Rosario in pursuing our dreams especially in our quest for developmental projects that will benefit our constituents, provide their basic needs, promote health and public safety and hopefully improve our economic stability,” said Rosario Municipal Mayor Jupiter Abulog. A LANDBANK depositor since the 1990s, Rosario LGU is hoping to further strengthen its partnership with the Bank in terms of providing accessible financial channels to their people. “We are also looking forward to the installation of a LANDBANK ATM in our office since this will be the first one in the entire municipality. Currently, we still have to travel to our neighboring municipality if we want to withdraw or deposit cash from the machine so this will really be helpful to our people,” Mayor Abulog added. RISE UP LGUs Lending Program is a new offering of LANDBANK to local governments that aims to facilitate the regional and local development in its area by integrating the different players in the agricultural value-chain, and finance other innovative programs of LGUs which can bring back the confidence of its constituents in the local economy. Interested borrowers of the LANDBANK RISE UP LGUs Lending Program 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.
READ MORE(left photo) Barili Mayor Julieto N. Flores (4th from left) and LANDBANK East Visayas Branches Group Senior Vice President Khurshid U. Kalabud (1st from left) lead the inauguration rites for the new LANDBANK Barili Branch in Barili Cebu, while (right photo) Basilan Governor Jim H. Salliman (4th from left), Lamitan Mayor Rosita U. Furigay (3rd from left), Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick H. Furigay (2nd from left), and LANDBANK West Mindanao Branches Group Vice President Lina K. Pacio (5th from left) inaugurate the new LANDBANK Lamitan Branch in Lamitan City, Basilan. The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) officially inaugurated two (2) new branches on the same day last November 27, 2020—one in the Municipality of Barili in the Province of Cebu, and another in the City of Lamitan in the Province of Basilan. The state-run Bank now has a total of 414 branches and extension offices across all 81 provinces nationwide, further extending its reach to serve more unbanked and underserved areas. “We hope that LANDBANK’s continuous expansion in Barili and Lamitan City will provide additional touchpoints for our priority clients, especially our farmers and fishers, while helping draw more investors, create businesses, and generate more local employment. Rest assured of our strong commitment to collaborate and support development programs that will accelerate economic activities and rehabilitation efforts in these localities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. LANDBANK is the first and only universal Bank in the 2nd class municipality of Barili serving a total of 42 barangays, including the neighboring municipalities of Dumanjug and Aloguinsan. This is LANDBANK’s 20th branch in the Province of Cebu, complemented by 99 ATMs. The Barili Branch is also expected to serve over 13,200 farmers and fishers in the area, as well as more than 12,400 beneficiaries under the Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (CCT/UCT) Programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Barili Mayor Julieto N. Flores and LANDBANK East Visayas Branches Group Senior Vice President Khurshid U. Kalabud led the Barili Branch inauguration rites. They were joined by Barili Vice Mayor Lusito L. Ponsica, Chief of Police PCPT Romeo Caacoy, Jr., and Barili Municipal Councilors Ranuldo Bolo and Ana Maria Ewican. "Thank you very much LANDBANK that of all the Municipalities, you opened a nice branch here in Barili with a state-of-the-art building. We assure you that our 42 Barangays will open an account with LANDBANK. I am also happy that you practice localization, hiring personnel coming from the Municipality of Barili," said Mayor Flores. Meanwhile, the LANDBANK Lamitan Branch will facilitate efficient, safe, and secure banking transactions for Lamiteños, that will also service the banking needs of the municipalities of Tuburan, Akbar, Al-Barka, Tipo-tipo, Sumisip, Ungkaya Pukan, Tabuan Lasa, and Hadji Mohammad Ajul. The inauguration of the Lamitan Branch was led by Basilan Governor Jim H. Salliman, Lamitan Mayor Rosita U. Furigay, Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick H. Furigay, and LANDBANK West Mindanao Branches Group Vice President Lina K. Pacio. They were joined by LANDBANK officials, namely Zamboanga City Lending Center Head Vinicius S. Hamoy, Basilan Branch Head Christopher T. Ceniza, and Lamitan Branch Head Analyn S. Ramirez. “Being affected by the pandemic, it is very reassuring to know that we have a partner who can truly help us. So, for this branch, we hope for significant growth and development that will further our already brightened economy. On behalf of the City Government of Lamitan, I would like to thank LANDBANK for all the support and we hope to have a long and fulfilling partnership ahead,” said Mayor Furigay. The Lamitan Branch will complement the operations of Basilan Branch in Isabela City, alongside eight (8) ATMs spread across the province. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
READ MOREImelda Mayor Roselyn V. Silva (center) and LANDBANK West Mindanao Branches Group Head Vice President Lina K. Pacio (right) lead the inauguration and opening of LANDBANK Imelda Branch on December 18, 2020. Joining them are LANDBANK Imelda Branch Head Evelyn M. Fortich (left, front) and Provincial Board Member Allan Escamillan (left, back). IMELDA, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) officially opened its newest branch in this municipality on December 18, 2020, and the third LANDBANK Branch in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay. The new LANDBANK Imelda Branch joins branches in Ipil and Buug, complemented by 15 ATMs present in the province, in providing safe and uninterrupted delivery of banking services to its residents. LANDBANK now has a total of 415 branches and extension offices across all 81 provinces nationwide. “In light of the ongoing pandemic, LANDBANK continues to partner with Local Government Units to bring safe, reliable, and convenient banking services closer to underserved communities. The Imelda Branch also forms part of LANDBANK’s primary thrust to intensify lending to more small farmers and fishers nationwide,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Imelda Mayor Roselyn V. Silva and LANDBANK West Mindanao Branches Group Head Vice President Lina K. Pacio led the Imelda Branch inauguration rites. They were joined by Provincial Board Member Allan Escamillan and LANDBANK Imelda Branch Head Evelyn M. Fortich. “Thank you to LANDBANK for supporting the LGU of Imelda, especially for supporting organic farmers in our municipality through affordable lending programs and livelihood training programs conducted by your corporate foundation, LANDBANK Countryside Development Foundation, Inc.,” said Imelda Mayor Roselyn V. Silva. The LANDBANK Imelda Branch will service around 3,760 small farmers and fishers in the area, as well as 60,338 beneficiaries under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program. “In these challenging times, let LANDBANK help in strengthening and accelerating the development of your municipality’s leading and emerging industries. Together, we can work towards the recovery and continued growth of your key sectors, especially agriculture and aquaculture,” said LANDBANK VP Lina K. Pacio. The LANDBANK Imelda Branch will also provide banking services to various government agencies and private clients in the neighboring municipalities of Alicia, Payao and Siay, including the island municipalities of Mabuhay, Talusan, and Olutanga, as well as portions of Diplahan and Malangas. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
READ MOREIn line with its continuing thrust toward greater financial inclusion, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) wrapped-up 2020 by further expanding touchpoints in key strategic areas nationwide to bring financial services closer to more farmers and fishers. The state-run bank established four Agri-Hubs in December which provide banking, lending and agrarian services in the country’s top rice-producing provinces and unbanked and underserved rice farming areas. “Amidst the ongoing pandemic, LANDBANK remains steadfast in delivering safe and reliable financial services to unbanked and underserved communities in the country. We will continue to intensify support and respond to the developing needs of the agriculture sector, most especially the small farmers and fishers,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. LANDBANK inaugurated its first-ever Agri-Hub in the Municipality of Calabanga, Camarines Sur to service farmers and fishers from the area, alongside neighboring municipalities of Siruma, Bombon, Magarao, and Tinambac. The opening of the Calabanga Agri-Hub was led by Calabanga Mayor Eduardo A. Severo and Southeast Luzon Branches Group Head, Senior Vice President Althon C. Ferolino. They were joined by LANDBANK Legazpi Branch Head, Assistant Vice President Cesar A. Ramirez, Naga Rotunda Branch Head Melanie D. Avila, and Calabanga Agri-Hub Head Emma Ruth Estadilla. Meanwhile, the Barotac Viejo Agri-Hub in Iloilo will serve the 26 barangays of the Municipality of Barotac Viejo, as well as the nearby towns of Banate and San Rafael. Barotac Viejo Mayor Nielo C. Tupas and LANDBANK West Visayas Branches Group Head, First Vice President Delma O. Bandiola led the inauguration rites of the Barotac Viejo Agri-Hub, together with former Barotac Viejo Mayor Myrna C. Tupas, LANDBANK Corporate Affairs Group Head, Vice President Vivian M. Cañonero, Iloilo Branch Head, Assistant Vice President Rudina D. Pastrana, and Barotac Viejo Agri-Hub Head Merebeth B. Collado. LANDBANK also opened the Sual Agri-Hub in Pangasinan—the first Agri-Hub in North Luzon—which will bring the Bank’s services closer to farmers and fishers in the Municipality of Sual and Labrador. The inauguration of Sual Agri-Hub was led by Sual Mayor Liseldo D.Q. Calugay and North Luzon Branches Group Head, First Vice President Ma. Belma T. Turla, Alaminos Branch Head Roehl S. Bautista, and Sual Agri-Hub Head Rolando B. Jaquias. Meanwhile, the Echague Agri-Hub in Isabela will cater primarily to the 2,533 farmers within the 64 barangays in the municipality. Echague Vice Mayor Amado Gaffud, Special Assistant to the Mayor Josephine Rivera, and LANDBANK Ilagan Branch Head, Assistant Vice President Lorenzo M. Saquing led the opening of the Echague Agri-Hub. With them were Isabela State University Admin and Finance Services Vice President, Atty. Romano P. Cammayo, and LANDBANK officials namely Santiago Branch Head, Assistant Vice President Catherine M. Guerrero, San Isidro Branch Head Leilani S. Antolin, and the staff of the Echague Agri-Hub led by Ms. Josephine A. Lorenzo. In addition, LANDBANK inaugurated its newest branch in the Municipality of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on December 28, 2020—LANDBANK’s 8th branch in the Province complemented by 59 ATMs. The LANDBANK Balingasag Branch will serve the banking and financing needs of more than 3,000 farmers and fishers covering the municipalities of Balingasag, Jasaan, Lagonglong and Salay. Balingasag Mayor Alexis S. Quina and LANDBANK West Mindanao Branches Group Head, Vice President Lina K. Pacio led the Balingasag Branch inauguration rites. They were joined by Balingasag Vice Mayor Felix H. Borromeo and LANDBANK officials namely Capistrano Branch Head, Assistant Vice President Josephine B. Mercadal and Balingasag Branch Head Mark Chester T. Yongco. LANDBANK now has a total of 411 branches and 65 branch-lites across all 81 provinces nationwide. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
READ MOREThe Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has approved a P94.5-million term loan for the construction of the first government-owned oxygen-generating plant in the Province of Sorsogon. In partnership with the Provincial Government of Sorsogon under the leadership of Gov. Francis Joseph G. Escudero, LANDBANK will finance the purchase and installation of the oxygen-generating facility to be stationed at the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital. This will help increase the supply of medical oxygen to all nine (9) government hospitals in the province and benefit its more than 800,000 residents, as well as those from other neighboring provinces. The establishment of this facility is part of the local government’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, particularly now with the rising demand for medical oxygen caused by the recent surge in infections. The plant will also help lower the costs for tank refilling from P490 per tank to only P157. At present, the province sources medical oxygen from only one supplier in Camarines Sur. The P94.5-million financing for the oxygen plant—which is expected to be completed in early 2022—forms part of LANDBANK’s intensified support to LGUs nationwide in providing basic health services, especially amid the ongoing pandemic. “LANDBANK remains committed to serving the nation at the frontlines of our battle against the pandemic. Alongside our LGU partners, we stand ready to service growth and recovery requirements, which include boosting local healthcare services and providing support to medical frontliners and their constituents,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. LANDBANK also financed a P29-million oxygen plant for the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental in 2010. Located in the City of Silay, the LANDBANK-funded facility has been supplying medical-grade oxygen to almost all district hospitals in the province for the past 10 years. Since the onset of the pandemic last year, the oxygen plant has been providing free medical oxygen to local public health institutions and COVID-isolation facilities, namely the Cadiz City District Hospital, Valladolid District Hospital, Provincial Healing Center in E.B. Magalona, and the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
READ MOREAs of Fri, May 2, 2025
| Buying | Selling | |
|---|---|---|
| USD | 55.4 | 55.9 |
| JPY | 0.376062 | 0.390629 |
| EUR | 61.664004 | 64.057767 |
| GBP | 72.538526 | 75.35443 |
| HKD | 7.116675 | 7.647847 |
As of Wed, April 30, 2025
| UITF | NAVPU |
|---|---|
| Cash Management Fund | 1.558326 |
| Money Market Fund | 1.311473 |
| Money Market Plus Fund | 1.223865 |
| PERA Money Market Fund | 1.024157 |
| Medium-Term Bond Fund | 2.473735 |
| Bond Fund | 2.028301 |
| PERA Bond Fund | 1.202455 |
| Balanced Fund | 2.625609 |
| Growth Fund | 2.598945 |
| Alpha Equity Fund | 3.025756 |
| Blue Chip Equity Fund | 0.970814 |
| Equity Fund | 0.790417 |
| High Dividend Equity Fund | 1.009225 |
| US$ Money Market Fund | 1.432555 |
| Global $ Fund | 1.531474 |
