The cold storage facility of Argo Cold Storage financed by LANDBANK in Nueva Ecija can accommodate up to 450,000 bags of onions, allowing farmers to increase their production and income. PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Some 20,000 onion farmers enjoy bountiful harvests and improved earnings through the cold storage facility financed by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) in this onion-producing province. The storage facility is owned and managed by the Argo Cold Storage, a subsidiary of Argo International Forwarders, Inc. (AIFI), and can accommodate up to 450,000 bags of onions. Farmers from Nueva Ecija and neighboring provinces benefit the most from Argo Cold Storage’s services, which help prolong the shelf life of onion produce and reduces post-harvest losses due to insect infestation. “When I went to Nueva Ecija way back in 2012, I noticed that many onion farmers there were forced to sell their produce to middlemen or traders at a lower price, to avoid the crops from rotting. Now, farmers can increase their onion production and ensure that their produce are in safe custody through our cold storage services,” said Argo Cold Storage and AIFI Chairman Efren Patron Zoleta Jr. LANDBANK has been supporting Argo Cold Storage and AIFI expand its operations since 2017, aimed at helping onion farmers from Nueva Ecija to sell their produce at a competitive market price and thereby generate higher income. The Argo Cold Storage and AIFI also have an existing loan or credit line with the Bank to finance its additional working capital requirements. On top of helping onion farmers, Argo Cold Storage and AIFI contribute to local job generation by employing more than 120 regular workers, porters and sorters, to facilitate the end-to-end operations of the cold storage facility. “LANDBANK is doing its share in boosting the local onion supply by providing accessible credit assistance to onion producers in the country. We will continue to service the requirements of agriculture players towards a food-secure and resilient Philippines,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Accessible and affordable financing As of 30 September 2022, LANDBANK has approved P1.1 billion in loans to support the production and trading of onion and acquisition of cold storage equipment, with additional loans worth P102.9 million in the pipeline. Onion is a high-value crop that can be financed under the LANDBANK Sulong Saka Program, designed to provide credit assistance to various qualified stakeholders for agribusiness projects that support high-value crops production, processing and marketing. Under the Program, small farmers may borrow up to 90% of the total project cost for a production loan, while a maximum of 80% may be borrowed by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), cooperatives, farmers’ associations and organizations, large agribusiness enterprises and corporations, non-government organizations (NGOs), and countryside financial institutions (CFIs). Eligible borrowers may also avail of up to 80% of the project cost for the acquisition of fixed assets, and up to 85% of the market price of the commodity for commodity loans. Local government units (LGUs) may likewise avail of financial support under the Sulong Saka Program, provided that the loan amount will not exceed their net borrowing capacity, as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF). Loans for working capital and permanent working capital are payable up to one (1) year and three (3) years, respectively, while loans for fixed assets and construction of facilities are payable based on project cash flow but not more than its economic useful life. The interest is based on market rate, while loans for smallholder farmers shall bear a concessional fixed rate of 5% per annum.
READ MOREThe Coconut Hub of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) at Barangay Colonia in Tuburan, Cebu produces various products made from coconuts, that has been helping increase the income of local coconut farmers while providing livelihood opportunities among women in the community. (Photos courtesy of LMPC) TUBURAN, Cebu – When Super Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated parts of the country in 2013, coconut farmers from this town struggled with lower productivity and income. They were left with damaged coconut farms, making it even harder to earn a living for their families. This dire situation pushed the Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) to support its farmer-members by establishing a production center for diverse products made from coconuts, which provides farmers with higher income from selling all parts of their produce to LMPC at a competitive price, instead of relying solely on producing copra. The Coconut Hub or ‘Cocohub’ facility, the first-of-its-kind in Cebu, commenced operations in 2020. Today, the center processes 15,000 seed nuts a day for the production of virgin coconut oil, coco sugar, coco baskets, ropes, mats, and anti-soil erosion nets, among others. The Cocohub project benefits over 500 farmers from Tuburan and neighboring towns, while generating employment opportunities for women in the community who work full-time in the hub. The operations of the Cocohub is backed by financial support from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK)—a long-time development partner of the LMPC. Loans from the Bank are used as working capital for the purchase of furniture and fixtures, payment of raw materials to suppliers, and salary of the cooperative’s workers. “Malaki ang naitutulong ng LANDBANK upang mapanatili ang operasyon ng Cocohub, lalo na at hindi ganon kabilis ang return of investment dito. Parang pamilya na namin ang LANDBANK dahil lahat ng pangangailangang pampinansiyal ng LMPC ay sila talaga ang tumutugon,” said LMPC General Manager Ma. Elena C. Limocon. The Cocohub is a joint project with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), which provides the LMPC infrastructure support and essential equipment, including a decorticating machine. Other government agencies and local government units (LGUs) are likewise supporting the project to help sustain its operations. These include the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Cebu Technological University (CTU), which provide information resources, product innovations, and relevant trainings to capacitate farmers as well as for marketing of the goods. “LANDBANK is a proud partner of the LMPC Cocohub designed to uplift the lives of coconut farmers and communities in Cebu. This project is a shining example of how government partners working under a whole-of-nation approach can build a sustainable and inclusive agricultural value chain,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Development partner in the countryside The LMPC has been a consistent development partner of LANDBANK in the Visayas region since 1992. It is mainly engaged in credit extension through its 56 branches, assisting more than 120,000 farmers and fishers from the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Occidental and Leyte for their livelihood and agricultural projects. LANDBANK’s unwavering support to LMPC has also allowed the co-op to take on other meaningful projects and initiatives in support of various local communities. The LMPC has participated in the Milk Feeding Program of the Department of Education (DepEd) that benefits thousands of undernourished students from Cebu and Negros Occidental. The co-op has an existing loan line from LANDBANK to augment its working capital for dairy production. The LMPC is also instrumental in bringing basic banking services to underserved areas by equipping most of its branches with point-of-sale (POS) terminals under LANDBANK’s Agent Banking Program (ABP), to facilitate banking transactions for local residents, especially in remote communities. LANDBANK is the second largest universal bank in the country that is committed to serve the development requirements of cooperatives, thereby empowering them to become catalysts for inclusive growth in the countryside. As of end-October 2022, LANDBANK’s outstanding loans to the cooperative sector have reached P61.4 billion, helping over 1,300 co-ops nationwide.
READ MOREPamplona Vice Mayor Arnie Angelica S. Fernandez (4th from left) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) Northern Luzon Branches Group Head, Senior Vice President Ma. Belma T. Turla (5th from left) lead the inauguration of the LANDBANK offsite ATM located at the Municipal Hall of Pamplona, Cagayan on 12 December 2022. They are joined by members of the Sangguniang Bayan, local officials, and other LANDBANK officers. The new LANDBANK ATM will serve customers in all 18 barangays in the Municipality, which includes government employees, private citizens, and beneficiaries of Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (CCT/UCT) Programs, among others, who will no longer need to wait in long queues or travel to neighboring towns for their cash requirements.
READ MORELANDBANK officers and local government officials lead the opening of four (4) new Agri-Hubs located in (clockwise from upper left) San Fernando, Bukidnon; Plaridel, Misamis Occidental; Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro; and Claveria, Misamis Oriental. This brings the total number of LANDBANK Agri-Hubs in the country to 16 as of end-2022, designed to deliver financial services closer to farmers and fishers nationwide. The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) wrapped-up 2022 with the opening of four (4) new Agri-Hubs located in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, expanding its physical touchpoints to better serve farmers and fishers in the country. The state-run bank established the four Agri-Hubs in the last week of December, which will provide combined services of banking, lending and agrarian services to the country’s top rice-producing provinces, including unbanked and underserved rice farming areas. “Our continued expansion of LANDBANK Agri-Hubs across the country forms part of our commitment to deliver responsive and timely financial services to the agriculture sector, especially to small farmers and fishers. We strive to make our banking products and services more accessible especially in underserved areas to help boost agricultural production and build stronger local communities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. LANDBANK opened its 13th Agri-Hub in the country in Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, to primarily serve over 23,000 farmers and fishers within the municipality and its neighboring town of Lopez Jaena under the leadership of Plaridel Agri-Hub Head Deborah L. Dalid. Plaridel Vice Mayor Neite Gornez and LANDBANK Calamba (Misamis Occidental) Branch Manager Gina P. Baliton graced the opening of the Plaridel Agri-Hub on 26 December 2022. LANDBANK established another Agri-Hub in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, to cater to the banking requirements of more than 13,000 farmers and fishers in the municipality. Claveria Mayor Meraluna L. Salvaleon-Abrogar, Vice Mayor Reynante L. Salvaleon, LANDBANK Vice Presidents Lina K. Pacio and Jimmy P. Arco, and Claveria Agri-Hub Head Marlita M. Cagas led the opening of the Claveria Agri-Hub on 28 December 2022. Meanwhile, the Agri-Hub in San Fernando, Bukidnon was inaugurated on 29 December 2022 by San Fernando Mayor Rogelio C. Yeke, Vice Mayor Levi C. Edma, LANDBANK Valencia Branch Head Madelyn A. Rodriguez and San Fernando Agri-Hub Head Agnesita M. Llauder to service the municipality’s 24 barangays, including 11,000 farmers and fishers. On the same day, a LANDBANK Agri-Hub in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro was opened by Bongabong Mayor Elegio A. Malaluan, Vice Mayor Richard S. Candelario, LANDBANK Pinamalayan Branch Head Lizza Mae F. Camposano and Bongabong Agri-Hub OIC May Fatima Torres, to provide accessible financial services mainly to the 12,233 farmers and fishers in Bongabong. They were joined by Calapan Branch Head Ferdinand E. Abas, Roxas Mindoro Branch Head Lolita V. Apostol, Oriental Mindoro Lending Center OIC Elisa A. Laudencia, and Agrarian Operations Center IV Representative Henrich M. Ibaña. LANDBANK Agri-Hubs offer banking services such as account opening, withdrawals, and check encashments; lending services such as the processing of loan applications; and agrarian services such as processing of Agrarian Reform (AR) bonds and handling of agrarian-related concerns from landowners, bondholders, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). The opening of LANDBANK’s new Agri-Hubs raises the total number of the Bank’s Agri-Hubs in the country to 16, complementing the Bank’s 607 Branches and 58 Lending Centers nationwide, as of end-December 2022.
READ MORELANDBANK Senior Vice President Elsie Fe NB. Tagupa (3rd from left) and Restia Rice Milling Corporation Vice President Dolores P. De Vicente (4th from left) lead the signing of a loan agreement for the construction of a rice mill plant and acquisition of various chattels on 20 January 2023 in Leganes, Iloilo. LEGANES, Iloilo – Over 10,000 rice farmers from Panay Island in Western Visayas are expected to benefit from the top-of-the-line rice mill plant of Restia Rice Milling Corporation starting June 2023, while also helping to improve rice production and provide post-harvest facilities in the Province of Iloilo. To be located in Brgy. Calaboa in the municipality of Leganes, the 2,472-square-meter rice mill plant will address the lack of modern production and post-production milling facilities in Iloilo—one of the top rice-producing provinces in the country. Restia has tapped the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to fund the construction of its rice mill plant and acquisition of various chattels. It also availed of a short-term loan line to finance its working capital requirements for palay trading, relending to farmers, and rice milling. “LANDBANK remains committed to supporting the whole agriculture value chain to boost the country’s agricultural output. Our comprehensive and holistic approach to lending ensures that all agri players have access to affordable and responsive financing,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa Borromeo. LANDBANK Visayas Lending Group Head, Senior Vice President Elsie Fe NB. Tagupa and Restia Rice Milling Corporation Vice President Dolores P. De Vicente led the ceremonial loan signing on 20 January 2023 in Brgy. Napnud in Leganes, Iloilo to formalize the partnership. They were joined by LANDBANK Iloilo Lending Center Head, Assistant Vice President Giovani T. Baoy and Account Officer Lys Lee L. Infante, alongside Restia Rice Milling Corporation Secretary Dennis B. De Vicente, Treasurer Charmaine D. Guiang, and Board Member John Rigor C. Guiang. Restia’s new rice mill plant will boast of modern equipment that can produce high-quality long grain rice and capable of processing even wet palay stocks during the rainy season. The plant will be able to process up to 2,900 bags of palay per day, with an estimated production output of 2,400 bags. Through the rice mill, farmers from Iloilo and neighboring provinces can market their produce of well-milled and high-grade rice grains at a higher price. They can also sell their harvest directly to Restia to cut logistics expenses and avoid transacting with middlemen, thereby resulting to improved income. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa LANDBANK sa suportang ipinapaabot nila sa Restia upang mapatayo ang aming rice mill project. Ito ay lubos na makakatulong sa mga rice farmers dito sa Panay upang mabenta nila sa mas mataas na halaga ang kanilang mga produkto,” said company Vice President De Vicente. Restia Rice Milling Corporation is the new flagship business of the Restia Group of Companies which was established to support local farmers and improve the quality of local milled rice. The start-up company is also collaborating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to establish an efficient logistics system in Panay Island for the benefit of local rice farmers. LANDBANK has been extending accessible and affordable financing to all players in the agriculture value chain, in line with its broader thrust of serving the nation. As of 31 December 2022, LANDBANK’s agriculture loan portfolio has expanded to P261.7 billion, of which P166.8 billion supported small, medium, and large agribusiness.
READ MORE(left photo) Balingasag Mayor Alexis S. Quina (center), LANDBANK Vice President Jimmy P. Arco (2nd from left) and Assistant Vice President Josephine Mercadal (3rd from left) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the new Balingasag Public Market (rightphoto) financed by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) in Barangay Waterfall. BALINGASAG, Misamis Oriental – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) joined the inauguration of the new world-class Balingasag Public Market in Barangay Waterfall, which is expected to be a center of commerce for the people of Balingasag and its neighboring towns. Balingasag Municipal Mayor Alexis S. Quina alongside LANDBANK Vice President Jimmy P. Arco and Assistant Vice President Josephine B. Mercadal, led the inauguration on 8 March 2023 to formally open the facility to residents and vendors. LANDBANK financed the milestone infrastructure project with a P150 million loan in 2020. The building can accommodate 303 stalls, covering sections for fish, meat, vegetable, fruit, dry goods, and grocery items, among others. The new public market will also benefit more than 3,000 small farmers and fishers from the municipalities of Balingasag, Jasaan, Lagonglong and Salay. “We look forward to servicing more of Balingasag’s growth requirements to generate economic opportunities and deliver essential public services. In partnership with LGUs nationwide, LANDBANK will continue to support strategic initiatives to help advance local communities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa Borromeo. Throughout the years, LANDBANK has been part of the growth story and progress of the Municipality of Balingasag. It has financed various development projects of the LGU, including the Balingasag People’s Palace in 2010 and the Balingasag Bus Terminal in 2015. During the inauguration, Mayor Quina shared his appreciation and gratitude for LANDBANK's continuing trust and support for the local government, and touched on plans to tap the Bank anew for the construction of Balingasag’s Municipal Gym. LANDBANK provides convenient banking services to Balingasag residents, including payroll services to local government employees. Last December 28, 2022, the Bank inaugurated the LANDBANK Balingasag Branch, complemented by an offsite ATM located at the People's Palace. LANDBANK remains the biggest development partner of the LGU sector. As of end-December 2022, the Bank has extended a total of P91.5 billion in outstanding loans to LGUs nationwide, towards building resilient and progressive local communities.
READ MORE(left photo) LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa Borromeo (leftmost) and Sta. Ana Vice Mayor Catherine J. Ladrido (rightmost) lead the inauguration of the LANDBANK CEZA (Cagayan) Branch-Lite (right photo) in the Municipality of Sta. Ana in Cagayan. Joining them are CEZA representative Engr. Carlo D. Sales (2nd from right), LANDBANK Director Atty. David D. Erro (5th from right), Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron (3rd from right), and Senior Vice President Ma. Belma T. Turla (4th from right). STA. ANA, Cagayan – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) officially inaugurated a branch-lite unit in this second-class town, in an effort to promote inclusive growth and development in the Province of Cagayan. Located on the ground floor of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone (CEZA) Corporate Center in Barangay Centro, the LANDBANK CEZA (Cagayan) Branch-Lite will provide convenient and accessible banking products and services to all the 16 barangays of Sta. Ana and the 25 barangays of Gonzaga. The new touchpoint will ease the burden of residents, including CEZA investors and co-locators, from traveling about 80 kilometers to perform their transactions at the nearest LANDBANK branch in the town of Aparri. LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa Borromeo and Sta. Ana Vice Mayor Catherine J. Ladrido led the inauguration rites for the LANDBANK CEZA (Cagayan) Branch-Lite on 28 April 2023. They were joined by CEZA Acting Head for Freeport Facility Department (FFD) and Environmental and Public Safety Department (EPSD) Engr. Carlo D. Sales, LANDBANK Director Atty. David D. Erro, Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron, and Senior Vice President Ma. Belma T. Turla. “The LANDBANK CEZA (Cagayan) Branch-Lite underscores the Bank’s continuing commitment to bolster economic growth in the municipality of Sta. Ana and its neighboring towns. This touchpoint makes banking products and services more accessible to Cagayanos, in line with the National Government’s financial inclusion agenda,” said LANDBANK President Borromeo. Meanwhile, Sta. Ana Vice Mayor Ladrido expressed her gratitude to LANDBANK for its continued support to the development of the town. “It is really through your support that changed the lives of many of our constituents here, including the agriculture and fisheries sector. Rest assured that we have rendered all our support to LANDBANK,” she said. The newly inaugurated branch-lite is also expected to service customers from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, including the coastal towns of Divilacan, Maconacon, Palanan, and Dinapigue in the Province of Isabela. Customers from the barangays of Bolos Point in Gattaran and Valley Cove in Baggao—where access roads to their respective commercial towns are still being developed—will also benefit from its services. The LANDBANK CEZA (Cagayan) Branch-Lite has an automated teller machine (ATM) and cash deposit machine (CDM) to facilitate cash withdrawals and real-time deposits for over 3,500 combined beneficiaries of the Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (CCT/UCT) programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government employees, private depositors, and other customers. To help simplify the account enrolment process and reduce the account opening time of customers, the branch-lite also features a Digital Corner where customers can conveniently open a deposit account using the LANDBANK Digital Onboarding System (DOBS). LANDBANK is the only bank present in all 82 provinces of the country, with 607 branches and branch-lite units, 58 lending centers, 2,906 ATMs, 224 CDMs, and 1,072 Agent Banking Partners (ABPs).
READ MORESpouses Leonilo and Bella Basister from Mayorga, Leyte grew their palay trading business with support from LANDBANK, now running two rice mills that produce more than 100,000 sacks of milled rice per year. MAYORGA, Leyte – As someone who was not able to pursue higher education due to financial constraints, Leonilo “Kiloy” Basister only had limited opportunities to make ends meet, especially after getting married at the young age of 21. With a seed money of only P270, Kiloy initially ventured into selling fish and live piglets in the market, while taking side jobs in between. He also borrowed resources from relatives and friends to expand his capital. After years of hard work, he and his wife, Bella, earned enough to start the L.K. Basister Rice and Palay Trading in 1998, with Kiloy supervising the overall operations and his wife handling all financial aspects of the business. From buying and selling only about 17 sacks of palay, the couple saw their business expanding year after year, until they were challenged to look for local rice mill operators that can accommodate their growing stocks. This pushed them to establish their own rice mill in 2010 that can process up to 30,000 sacks per year. Kiloy and Bella have been managing the L.K. Basister Rice and Palay Trading over the years, with the former supervising the overall operations and the latter handling the financial side of the business. The big break for their business came in 2012 when Kiloy and Bella secured a P3-million credit line from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK). With a bigger working capital, the couple was able to buy more palay from local farmers in Mayorga and neighboring towns, providing a sure market for their produce. “Malaking tulong talaga ang LANDBANK sa paglago ng aming business at kung nasaan kami ngayon. Nagkaroon kami ng mas malaking pondo na nagagamit para makabili ng palay na gigilingin namin sa buong taon. Dahil dito ay patuloy na tumaas ang aming kita at talagang nakaahon kami sa hirap,” Kiloy shared. Through the Bank’s constant support over the years, the L.K. Basister Rice and Palay Trading has now grown into a multi-million enterprise, producing more than 100,000 sacks of milled rice per year. And as their profits steadily increased, the couple’s credit line with LANDBANK likewise expanded to P100 million due to their good credit standing. Kiloy and Bella are currently running two rice mills with whitener and mist polisher, complemented by two warehouses and 14 mechanical dryers. They also have 14 delivery equipment for logistics support, and an outlet in Tacloban City to facilitate the disposal of the milled rice. Aside from contributing to the town’s food security, the business has been providing employment opportunities to 70 local residents involved in drying, milling, hauling, sacking and delivery of products. An additional workforce is also employed during harvest season when there is an expected higher volume of production. The couple’s business also provides employment opportunities for about 70 local residents involved in drying, milling, hauling, sacking and delivery of the milled rice. More than anything else, Kiloy and Bella now enjoy a comfortable life with their six children. They are able to send their kids to school, with four of them already graduated from college and are now helping in running the family business. Despite all their success, the couple is not taking it easy, as they continue to manage their business with the same persistence as when they were starting. They have also expanded and diversified into other fields such as poultry farming. It was indeed a long journey for Kiloy and Bella, and they remain thankful to LANDBANK for pushing them to their limits as entrepreneurs. “Ang masasabi ko sa mga gustong mag negosyo ay magtiyaga lang kayo. Mangutang kung kailangan basta marunong magbayad at alam ninyo kung saan ito gagamitin,” Kiloy said. LANDBANK has been extending financial support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as part of its commitment to assist key economic sectors in building stronger and more inclusive local communities. As of end-June 2023, the Bank’s outstanding loans to the MSME sector reached P49.5 billion for the benefit of over 6,100 borrowers nationwide.
READ MORE(left photo) Belison Mayor Christopher H. Piccio (3rd from right) and Vice Mayor Reynaldo E. Jacaba (4th from right) lead the official opening of the new Belison Public Market (right photo) for local vendors and residents. They were joined by LANDBANK Senior Vice President Delma O. Bandiola (2nd from right) and Antique Lending Center Head Engr. Roy C. Gonzaga (rightmost), with other local officials. BELISON, Antique – In support of the economic recovery of local communities from the pandemic, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) recently joined the inauguration of the newly-opened Belison Public Market in this 5th class municipality, which is expected to help boost the town’s local economy. LANDBANK provided an P80 million loan for the infrastructure project dubbed as the “Modern Agora,” designed to be the first public market to look like a mall in the Province of Antique, with 124 stalls for meat, fish, vegetable, fruits, dry goods, and grocery produce. The market is also expected to open new economic opportunities to more than 6,000 farmers in Belison and its neighboring municipalities of Patnongon and Sibalom. “We are proud to support the Municipality of Belison in establishing a hub for local economic development. LANDBANK likewise remains committed to helping farmers and fishers by putting up markets for their produce,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Belison Mayor Christopher H. Piccio and Vice Mayor Reynaldo E. Jacaba recently led the official opening of the Belison Public Market for vendors and residents, together with LANDBANK Senior Vice President Delma O. Bandiola and Antique Lending Center Head Engr. Roy C. Gonzaga, alongside members of the Sangguniang Bayan and other local officials. “We are grateful for LANDBANK’s assistance to us. Despite the fact that we are among the smallest municipalities in terms of area, population, and share of National Tax Allotment, we were able to access a loan with LANDBANK to improve our town,” said Belison Mayor Piccio. He added that the LGU plans to further tap the services of LANDBANK for the Phase II development of the public market. LANDBANK financed the public market under the RISE UP (Restoration and Invigoration package for a Self-sufficient Economy towards UPgrowth for LGUs) Lending Program, designed to help ensure the resilient and sustainable recovery of local economies from the pandemic. The Bank has approved loans under the Program totaling P114.7 billion for 412 LGUs as of 30 June 2023. Provincial, city and municipal governments may borrow from LANDBANK to finance their development and innovative projects geared towards rebuilding their communities and local economies. LANDBANK likewise remains the biggest development partner of the LGU sector, with a total of P97.5 billion in outstanding loans extended to LGUs nationwide as of end-June 2023. LANDBANK is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month, representing six decades of uplifting lives, empowering communities, and serving the nation — all in pursuit of an inclusive and sustainable economy.
READ MORE(front) Malungon Mayor Maria Theresa Constantino (2nd from right), Vice Mayor Mariano S. Escalada, Jr. (rightmost), Municipal Treasurer Eva Emejas (leftmost), and LANDBANK Assistant Vice President Jojo Alcover (3rd from right) lead the launching of the partnership for the use of the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal, alongside other local government officials and officers. MALUNGON, Sarangani Province – Residents and business entrepreneurs from this municipality can now pay for dues to the local government faster online through the digital payment facility of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK). The Municipal Government of Malungon has partnered with the state-owned Bank for the integration of the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal to its own website, which offers a wide range of local public services. Through the Link.BizPortal, clients can now pay for local fees, such as business permits and realty taxes, at their own convenience and even at the comfort of their homes. “LANDBANK’s digital banking solutions advances the National Government’s digital and financial inclusion agenda in line with its expanded mandate of serving the nation,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Malungon Mayor Maria Theresa Constantino extended her appreciation to LANDBANK’s support to accelerate the municipality’s digitalization journey. “This is the first in Sarangani to fully implement online payments. So, tell your relatives, your neighbors, that we have a new added service to make it more convenient for the people of Malungon to pay their taxes. We thank LANDBANK in bringing the service closer to every home in Malungon,” said Mayor Constantino. The LANDBANK Link.BizPortal is a digital facility that allows clients to pay for products and services via the internet from both government and private institutions. For the first six months of the year, the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal has facilitated 4 million transactions with value of P6 billion. Of its total 1,326 partner merchants, the Portal has 978 government partners of which 180 have been newly-onboarded this year. LANDBANK is celebrating its 60th anniversary, representing six decades of uplifting lives, empowering communities, and serving the nation — all in pursuit of an inclusive and sustainable economy.
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 |
