(front) LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (center) and Burauen Mayor Juanito E. Renomeron (rightmost) lead the opening of the LANDBANK Burauen Branch on 18 July 2024, alongside Julita Mayor Atty. Percival S. Cana (2nd from left), Burauen’s Association of Barangay Captains President Fe S. Renomeron (4th from left), and LANDBANK Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron (leftmost).
BURAUEN, Leyte – As part of its continuing commitment to bringing banking services closer to local communities, Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has officially inaugurated a branch in Burauen, and its eighth in the Province of Leyte.
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Burauen Mayor Juanito E. Renomeron led the inauguration rites for the branch on 18 July 2024. They were joined by Julita Mayor Atty. Percival S. Cana, Burauen’s Association of Barangay Captains President Fe S. Renomeron, LANDBANK Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron, and other local government officials.
Located in Brgy. Poblacion District 8, the LANDBANK Burauen Branch will cater to the banking needs of residents from the 77 barangays of the town. This eliminates the need to travel to the Tacloban City branches, saving clients two (2) hours of travel time and approximately P200 in round-trip expenses.
The branch’s strategic location also allows it to reach the 142 combined barangays of the municipalities of Dagami, Julita, Tabontabon, and La Paz, servicing over 11,000 farmers and fishers, 16,700 beneficiaries of the Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (CCT/UCT) programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), government employees, and private depositors.
“Our mission is clear – to drive transformative progress from countryside to countrywide by delivering secure and reliable financial services up to the farthest corners of the archipelago. With the new LANDBANK Burauen Branch, we aim to enhance the accessibility of banking services for local residents,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz.
She also committed to supporting the Province’s entire agricultural value chain by continuously extending loans to local farmers, fishers, and other players from the sector, as well as local government units for the development of essential infrastructure.
The LANDBANK Burauen Branch is equipped with two automated teller machines (ATM) and features a Digital Corner where clients can open a deposit account in 15 minutes or less using the LANDBANK Digital Onboarding System (DOBS).
“All of this means only one thing and that is more opportunities for us, Burawanons, in terms of financial inclusion, financial growth, and financial development. As an agricultural municipality, this would mean a lot to our farmers and to our business sector who would no longer need to travel just to inquire and avail the services of this financial institution. Truly, LANDBANK in Burauen is a blessing for us,” said Burauen Mayor Renomeron.
The new branch complements the operations of seven other LANDBANK branches in Leyte located in the cities of Baybay, Ormoc and Tacloban, and the municipalities of Carigara and Hilongos.
For fast, safe, and convenient cash withdrawals and transactions, LANDBANK has 61 automated teller machines (ATMs), six cash deposit machines (CDMs), and a LANDBANKasama Agent Banking Partner strategically located across the Province.
Customers can also enjoy free cash withdrawals at 43 ATMs in 7-Eleven convenience stores, as part of the Bank’s partnership with Pito Axm Platform, Inc. (PAPI).
As of end-June 2024, LANDBANK operates 607 branches and branch-lite units, along with 60 lending centers nationwide. This extensive network is complemented by 3,112 ATMs and 232 CDMs, 3,399 7-Eleven ATMs, and 1,101 LANDBANKasama Partners operating 1,859 point-of-sale (POS) terminals.
ABOUT LANDBANK
LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion and digital transformation to advance national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive services to empower Filipinos towards a better future of inclusive and sustainable development from countryside to countrywide.
A united front for agriculture: LANDBANK, Partners launch AGRISENSO Plus to boost agri value chain
LANDBANK, alongside government and public sector partners, launch the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program which targets 10,000 small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries to benefit from accessible credit assistance and capacity-building support to help improve productivity, enhance income, and advance sustainable growth. CANDABA, Pampanga – LANDBANK, in collaboration with Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and other government and private partners, is strengthening its support for the agriculture sector through the launch of the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program on 22 November 2024 at the Candaba Action Center in Brgy. Mandasig. The AGRISENSO Plus Program, an enhanced version of LANDANK’s existing initiative, is designed to deliver a full suite of support—featuring expanded eligibility, lower interest rates, and simplified loan process to provide broader access to credit and other support interventions for small farmers, fishers, and agribusinesses, and other players in the agriculture value chain.AGRISENSO Plus targets 10,000 small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to benefit from accessible credit assistance and capacity-building support to help improve productivity, enhance income, and advance sustainable growth. "AGRISENSO Plus reflects LANDBANK's commitment to providing holistic and meaningful support to the entire agriculture sector. Through strategic collaborations with public and private partners, we are complementing accessible credit with insurance benefits, capacity-building and other interventions to boost productivity, enhance income, drive sustainable growth, and contribute to national food security," said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The AGRISENSO Plus Program launch brought together key government partners, including Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Lorenzo “Larry” G. Gadon, DA Undersecretary Asis G. Perez, DAR OIC-Director III Sieramon A. Lacambra, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Deputy Executive Director Cristina G. Lopez, and local government officials of the Province of Pampanga. AGREA Agricultural Communities International Foundation, Inc. (AGREA) President and CEO Cherrie D. Atilano also attended as partner to provide capacity-building interventions to borrowers, together with LANDBANK Countryside Development Foundation Inc. (LCDFI). Private sector partners likewise joined the launch such as SariSuki, an online community platform that connects small farmers directly to consumers for fresh produce; KITA Agritech, which provides technological solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency; and TAO Foods, a company focused on sustainable food production and processing. The enhanced LANDBANK AGRISENSO Plus Program widens its scope to cover a broader range of beneficiaries, including small fishers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the agricultural value chain. Eligible borrowers also include agriculture graduates, who will now be eligible to access the Program within three years after graduation, nurturing the next generation of agri-entrepreneurs. Beyond financing, AGRISENSO Plus also provides small farmers and fishers and ARB borrowers with free life insurance and credit life insurance. Program borrowers are also qualified for training and capacity-building programs to enhance agricultural practices and business management skills, supporting more sustainable and resilient agribusinesses. LANDBANK has simplified the AGRISENSO Plus application process by reducing documentary requirements. Purchase Orders are no longer required for individual farmers, and endorsements from Irrigators’ Associations are no longer needed for farmers in irrigated areas. Meanwhile, ARBs who are also rice farmers now have the option to use endorsements from either the DAR or the NIA. The AGRISENSO Plus offers a fixed affordable interest rate of 4.0% per annum for small farmers, fishers, and ARBs, while other borrowers benefit from a competitive rate of 6.5%-7.5% per annum. Large enterprises and anchor firms lending to their partner small farmers and fishers and their cooperatives and associations, and ARBs and Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs), also gain a concessional interest rate with a 0.5% discount, fostering collaborative growth across the agriculture value chain. Existing AGRISENSO borrowers with approved credit lines will automatically transition to AGRISENSO Plus upon their next loan availment, allowing them to benefit from the program’s enhanced features. Interested borrowers can apply for the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program at any LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch, or by contacting LANDBANK’s Customer Service Hotline at 028405700. Through the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, LANDBANK remains a steadfast partner in agricultural and rural development, helping to drive economic growth and food security for the nation. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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LANDBANK delivers P14-M aid to 130 LGUs hit by Kristine
LANDBANK is extending a total of P14 million in financial assistance to various local government units (LGUs) impacted by tropical storm Kristine, as part of ongoing initiatives to fast-track local recovery and rehabilitation. The cash donation will support 130 LGUs across Luzon and Visayas, where communities face extensive damage from the recent tropical cyclone. “This funding provides critical support for our LGU partners to augment their Calamity Funds and sustain vital services for evacuees. As recovery timelines remain uncertain, LANDBANK is committed to helping LGUs respond swiftly and effectively to the needs of their communities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The P14 million LANDBANK donation is in addition to the P1.1-billion assistance extended by the government to affected families, as announced by Presidential Communications Office (PCO). LANDBANK is likewise offering immediate financial assistance to affected businesses and sectors through the LANDBANK CARES Plus (Community Assistance and REintegration Support Plus) Lending Program to rebuild, restore operations, and recover from disaster-related losses. Eligible borrowers include micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, large corporations, and electric distribution utilities. The state-run Bank’s Electronic Salary Loan (eSL) also offers quick funds for government and corporate employees with LANDBANK payroll services, with a waived servicing fee for applications until December 31, 2024. Existing eSL borrowers may also apply for early renewal if they have completed at least one month of paid amortization. Meanwhile, the Bank is also offering the “EasyCash for Emergencies” feature for LANDBANK credit cardholders to convert available credit limits into emergency cash, repayable up to 36 months. Eligible customers will receive a notification for activation, or they may request cash conversion directly. 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.
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From ‘Ad Man’ to ‘Mushroom Man’: Farmer cultivates success with LANDBANK’s support
Roderick Capalongan left his career in advertising in 2014 to venture into mushroom farming, and is now a leading supplier of mushrooms in his home town of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, including Manila, Isabela, Cagayan Valley, Tarlac, and Pampanga. SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Roderick Capalongan built a dynamic career in advertising, mastering project management, below-the-line communications, and complex campaign operations. But what started as a side hustle soon turned into his true passion—mushroom farming. Inspired by a fellow farming enthusiast, Roderick initially ventured into mushroom production to generate extra income for his family. However, what began as a small project soon became his full-time calling. In 2014, he left advertising behind to grow mushrooms on a 2-hectare farmland he inherited from his grandfather. Roderick named his own farm “Mushroom Man” and used recycled agricultural waste, such as rice straw, as substrate to grow oyster mushrooms. As demand grew, so did Roderick’s desire to scale up the business. In 2016, he found a reliable partner in Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) which stepped in with an initial loan of P300,000.00, giving Roderick the boost he needed to expand his operations. “Salamat sa LANDBANK dahil palagi silang handang sumuporta sa akin at sa projects ko. Sa tulong nila, nakapagpatayo ako ng facilities at nakapag-expand ng farm ko,” said Roderick. Over the years, LANDBANK has extended a total of P6.25 million to support Roderick’s mushroom production, which covered the purchase of equipment and the construction of mushroom housing, and even the expansion to tilapia and catfish production. The Mushroom Man currently delivers fresh produce daily to market outlets in Nueva Vizcaya and Manila, as well as in the provinces of Isabela, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite and Cagayan Valley. Innovation meets sustainability Roderick adopted an integrated farming business model that combines mushroom production with tilapia fish farming to minimize farm waste, reduce operational costs, and promote resource efficiency. One of his sustainable farm methods involve recycling mushroom spent—a byproduct of his mushroom production—to cultivate duckweeds as an alternative to artificial commercial fish feeds. This recycling practice reduced the cost of his tilapia production by half and significantly increased his profits. “Sa panahon ngayon, tumataas na ang presyo ng farm inputs, tulad ng tilapia feeds. Kaya kailangan maging resourceful para gumanda ang kita,” said Roderick. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Roderick also expanded his product line to include processed mushroom products, which include siomai, crispy mushroom, mushroom spread, and chili paste, alongside organic fertilizers. Roderick adopted an integrated farming business model that combines mushroom production with tilapia fish farming, wherein he uses discarded mushroom spent to produce duckweeds which serves as a natural alternative to fish feeds. A trailblazer in mushroom and integrated farming In recognition of his innovative practices and contributions to the local mushroom industry, LANDBANK conferred to Roderick the “Ulirang Magsasaka – Special Award for Integrated Farming” at the Bank’s Models of Excellence Recognition Initiative for Top Bank Clients (MERIT) Awards. Roderick and his wife, Sheila Capalongan, receive the special citation for integrated farming during the LANDBANK MERIT Awards in Malate, Manila. Roderick and his wife, Sheila Capalongan, receive the special citation for integrated farming during the LANDBANK MERIT Awards in Malate, Manila. The MERIT Awards celebrated the Bank’s top development partners in the delivery of essential financial and support services in local communities nationwide. Roderick’s farm has become the model mushroom farm in Nueva Vizcaya, attracting local and foreign visitors, including students, cooperatives and associations, to learn from his expertise about mushroom and integrated farming. National agencies like Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and state universities also work closely with the farm to promote sustainable farming practices and enhance agricultural education. Looking ahead, Roderick plans to build a farm school to train aspiring agri-entrepreneurs in mushroom production and elevate Nueva Vizcaya as a hub for oyster mushroom production. He likewise plans to train abroad to refine his skills and learn best global practices to help boost the local industry. “We are planning to train sa ibang bansa para mag-uwi ng advanced technology at matuto ng modern practices for mushroom production. Naniniwala ako na kaya natin magkaroon ng globally competitive mushroom industry,” said Roderick. A Journey from Campaigns to Cultivation Roderick Capalongan’s journey from the advertising world to agriculture is a testament to his adaptability to embrace change and passion to pursue his calling. With LANDBANK as his trusted partner, he continues to thrive—proving that success grows where passion and innovation meet. Through partnerships like these, LANDBANK is empowering farmers and Filipinos nationwide for a better future. About LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the Philippines with the largest portfolio in support of agriculture, fisheries, and rural development. Promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development, the Bank is present in all 82 provinces in the county and is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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