“A vision of service from womb to tomb.” For the Ligas Kooperatiba ng Bayan sa Pagpapaunlad (LKBP), this is not just a mantra—it is a continuing promise realized for over 18,300 members and counting.

Founded in 1986 with a modest capital of only P15,800 pooled from its 30 founding members, LKBP dared to challenge the cycle of debt, driven by high-interest informal loans, offering an alternative financial solution to the community. 

Fast forward 39 years and LKBP now boasts of P2.8 billion in assets and P367 million in share capital, becoming a cornerstone of financial empowerment in Bulacan and beyond.

“Being a billionaire cooperative is not just about what LKBP is worth. It also means that we have a greater responsibility to ensure all our 18,300 members are financially equipped and included, so they can improve their lives,” said LKBP Finance Manager Ms. Marilette A. Avendaño.

A Cooperative for the Community

Staying true to its commitment, LKBP has evolved beyond a financial institution—as an accessible lifeline for its members and the community. 

It has established various essential services that directly benefit members at every stage of life, from education and healthcare to livelihood opportunities, and memorial care through a dedicated area at the Manila Memorial Park for its deceased members.

“Initially, our clinic was meant exclusively for our members, but we soon realized that the broader community also needed medical support. So, we opened our doors to non-members at affordable rates. Cooperatives should not only serve their members but should also uplift as many lives as possible in the community,” Avendaño added.

The cooperative has also played a significant role in generating employment. Through its diverse ventures—including a garments manufacturing business in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a fuel refilling station, and a hardware enterprise—the cooperative provides stable jobs to individuals, including those who lack formal education. Employees are not only given fair wages and benefits but are also treated with dignity and respect, embodying LKBP’s belief in shared prosperity. 

Powered by LANDBANK

Determined to expand its operations and impact to the community, LKBP partnered with LANDBANK in 2000, beginning with deposit accounts and later growing into credit facilities to support LKBP’s own lending activities. This collaboration provided the cooperative with the financial muscle to meet the increasing demands of its members, including those engaged in poultry farming in the Baliwag and Pampanga areas.

“We started with a modest credit line with LANDBANK, which now stands at P1 billion. It’s a good problem to have because we know that anytime we need funds, we can rely on LANDBANK to support us,” Avendaño shared.

LANDBANK’s alignment with LKBP’s mission of financial inclusion has been instrumental in scaling the cooperative’s initiatives. With access to tailored financial solutions, LKBP has not only expanded its reach but has also improved its services for grassroots members.

“LANDBANK shares LKBP’s commitment to grassroots development. They have always provided financial solutions that cater to small-scale entrepreneurs and cooperatives, ensuring that even the most underserved members of the community have access to credit and banking services,” Avendaño said.

Inspiring other Cooperatives

As one of the most successful cooperatives in Region 3, LKBP’s has become a benchmark for other aspiring cooperatives. Through knowledge-sharing initiatives such as learning field trips, LKBP trains other cooperatives on strategies and best practices for sustainable growth and community impact.

In recognition of its outstanding contributions to cooperative excellence and service to the community, LKBP was recently awarded as the Outstanding Non-Agri-Based Cooperative in the Large Category under the Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatiba (Gawad PITAK) during LANDBANK’s MERIT Awards. 

“It is heartwarming to know that other emerging cooperatives look up to us. It assures us that our work is visible and impactful, and we are more than willing to share our knowledge with others,” Avendaño added.

From its humble beginnings to becoming a billion-peso cooperative, LKBP has demonstrated that financial growth and social responsibility are not mutually exclusive, but can go hand in hand. With strong support from LANDBANK, LKBP continues to redefine the standard for cooperative excellence in the Philippines by empowering individuals and uplifting communities. 

ABOUT LANDBANK

LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the Philippines 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.