LANDBANK, CDA ink new partnership for unbanked cooperatives

LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (3rd from right) and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Orlando R. Ravanera (2nd from right) led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Financial Inclusion Through Cooperatives (FIT-Coop) Program that will support unbanked and underserved micro and small cooperatives all over the country. This was witnessed by LANDBANK Agricultural and Development Lending Sector Head Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron (leftmost) and CDA Executive Director Ray R. Elevazo (rightmost).    The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) have joined hands anew for the Financial Inclusion Through Cooperatives (FIT-Coop) Program, an initiative that will provide capacity-building support to micro and small cooperatives in unbanked and underserved areas nationwide.   LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo and CDA Chairman Orlando R. Ravanera led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), together with CDA Executive Director Ray R. Elevazo and LANDBANK Agricultural and Development Lending Sector Head Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron.   Through the FIT-Coop Program, a total of 220 cooperatives with more than 31,000 members from 92 unbanked municipalities all over the country will undergo financial literacy trainings that would better prepare them to access formal credit assistance.   “The signing of this MOA for the FIT-Coop Program is a momentous and historical event— a great breakthrough in putting those in the margins into the mainstream of the development process. This will also be a great leap forward for CDA to fulfill its mandate to promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of social justice and economic development,” CDA Chairman Ravanera said.   LANDBANK President Borromeo said the FIT-Coop Program is also a clear display of the Bank’s continuous commitment to reach the smallest cooperatives in the most far-flung areas and empower them to become catalysts for inclusive growth in the countryside.   “LANDBANK is no stranger to cooperativism. We know that a lot more can be done if we collaborate with them. Communities have transformed into very progressive local economies because of cooperatives. The crucial thing is we strengthen the weak micro and small cooperatives so that they can grow and access formal lending programs,” President Borromeo said.   Under the FIT-Coop Program, assesment tools from both CDA and LANDBANK were utilized to develop the Cooperative Assessment Tool—an instrument which will measure a cooperative’s maturity level and readiness for different support services.   In addition, an Environmental Mapping or Scanning Tool was likewise devised to identify necessary but missing facilities in the community which hamper the cooperative’s growth and development.   The CDA and LANDBANK will then refer the data collected from these tools to relevant government agencies to further help cooperatives thru possible developmental interventions. President Borromeo added that this strategy is very much aligned with the Duterte Administration’s “whole-of-government approach”, wherein relevant government agencies collaborate and synergize efforts to achieve more significant results.

LANDBANK breaches P2 trillion mark in assets in 2019

The year 2019 turned out to be a landmark year for the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) as it breached the P2 trillion mark in assets—a new record for the state-owned universal Bank.   LANDBANK posted total assets of P2.03 trillion last year, up by 8% or P157.2 bilion from 2018. This was propelled by deposits amounting to P1.78 trillion which recorded an uptick of 8% or P127.23 billion year-on-year.   Likewise, the Bank’s net income also grew by 20% to P18.51 billion from P15.48 billion. This translates to a return on equity of 13.19% which is above the industry average of 10.38% as of September 2019.   Meanwhile, capital significantly rose to P149 billion, 13% or P17.38 billion more than the P131.62 billion posted in 2018.   “Reaching this new milestone in assets, including consistent growth in all financial fronts, has made 2019 a banner year for LANDBANK. More importantly, we are banking on this performance to enable us to create a bigger impact in helping the agriculture sector grow this year. We look to build on this momentum to intensify and further expand support to our priority sectors, our small farmers and fishers in the countryside,” LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo said.   LANDBANK is the biggest credit provider to small farmers and fishers, and local government units, and the biggest lender to microenterprises and SMEs among government financial institutions.

LANDBANK donates to LGUs affected by Taal Volcano, expands coverage of calamity rehab loan program

Batangas Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas (8th from left) receives a check from LANDBANK Batangas City Branch Manager Assistant Vice President Remedios M. Manay (7th from left) as part of the Bank’s financial support to a total of 44 local government units (LGUs) affected by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano. They are joined by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Batangas. State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is doing its share to help ease the burden of local government units (LGUs) affected by the recent eruptive activities of Taal Volcano by donating financial assistance to calamity-stricken LGUs for their respective relief operations. The Bank has provided a total of Php3.3 million in financial assistance to 44 LGUs in the Provinces of Batangas, Cavite and Laguna. The amount of donated funds varied depending on the extent of damage sustained by the LGU, in accordance with the Bank’s existing policies on donations. “More than 150,000 residents have been displaced in communities surrounding Taal Volcano. They are now housed in hundreds of evacuation centers in nearby cities and municipalities. With the volume of evacuees, LGUs hosting these centers need all the help they can get. This is our way of supporting the LGUs, which are among the Bank’s most valued clients,” said President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. In Batangas, the Provincial Government led the recipients of the donation, together with the cities of Batangas, Lipa and Tanauan. Also receiving support were the municipalities of Agoncillo, Lemery, San Nicolas, Mataas na Kahoy, Balete, Talisay, Laurel, Taal, Cuenca, Calaca, Sta. Teresita, Bauan, Mabini, Alitagtag, Malvar, Sto. Tomas, San Luis, San Jose, Balayan, San Pascual, Nasugbu, Ibaan, Rosario, Tuy, San Juan, Lian, Padre Garcia, Calatagan, and Taysan. The Bank also donated to the cities of Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, Biñan, San Pedro and Calamba in Laguna, and is expected to donate within the week to the Provincial Government of Cavite, the City of Tagaytay, and the municipalities of Alfonso, Amadeo, Indang and Mendez. Earlier, LANDBANK announced it has expanded its Calamity Rehabilitation Support (CARES) Program to provide financial support to more sectors severely affected by natural calamities such as the eruption of Taal Volcano, man-made disasters like armed conflicts, and viral infection outbreaks such as the African Swine Fever (ASF). Under the enhanced CARES Program, individual small farmers and fishers, livestock raisers, large agri-enterprises (LAEs), salaried workers, and academic institutions such as schools, universities and colleges, have been added as eligible borrowers. This complements the existing eligible borrowers under the Program, namely, LGUs, disaster-affected home owners, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), cooperatives, non-government organizations (NGOs), and partner financial institutions (PFIs) such as rural banks. The Program consists of two types of credit assistance—rehabilitation/reconstruction credit program and rehabilitation through loan restructuring—which may be used for the repair of damaged facilities, construction or acquisition of new facilities and equipment, repair or purchase of housing units, working capital for agriculture production, and as capital for a lending facility of cooperatives, SMEs and NGOs for home and livelihood financing. Meanwhile, LANDBANK’s Lemery Branch remains closed until further notice. However, its clients may transact with the Bank through the LANDBANK Bauan Branch or at any branch located in Batangas.

RTB 2020

Bagong taon, bagong pagkakataon Dahil 2020 na, it's time we invest in our future! Mag-invest na sa Retail Treasury Bonds ng Bureau of the Treasury muka January 28 hanggang February 6, 2020 para ready na sa pag-asenso! Go to www.treasury.gov.ph/rtb, for more information.

Visa - SM Supermalls Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Promo

Use your Visa and get the chance to witness greatness at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020! Spend at least P3,000 with your Visa at participating SM Supermalls until February 15, 2020 for a chance to witness greatness at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, courtesy of Visa. Merchant Terms & Conditions 1. Promo runs from November 11, 2019 to February 15, 2020. 2. Shop and dine at participating SM Supermalls using your Visa debit, credit, or prepaid card and get a chance to win 1 out of 4 trips for two to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics. Each winner will receive: i. Round-trip Economy Flight for Two (2) to Tokyo, Japan ii. 3 nights’ hotel accommodation (4-star) at the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay iii. Airport Transfers in Tokyo iv. Daily Breakfast v. 2 Olympic Events (skateboarding and basketball) vi. Transportation to/from Olympic events and activities vii. Group Activity viii. Visa Prepaid Product - $300 USD Value per package ix. Guest amenity/ gift - $400 USD Value per package x. Access to the Visa Everywhere Lounge (offsite) xi. Visa Concierge located at the hotel + Visa event support staff Merchant Offers Resource Center Content Downloaded On: November 26, 2019 01:39 2 Exclusions include but are not limited to: train, car, taxi, or other travel costs aside from above mentioned; any meal, event and/or activity outside of program schedule including transportation; translation services; athlete appearances; guest travel insurance, any applicable taxes; tourist entry visas and passports; hotel incidentals (e.g. phone, mini-bar, laundry, etc) 3. Receive 1 raffle entry for every PHP 3,000 presented in single or accumulated receipts. Triple your chances of winning when you purchase at an SM affiliate. Customer will not be allowed to combine receipts between affiliate and non-affiliate to triple raffle entry. *Receipt for bills payment and services not included in raffle entries. 4. Also get a chance to win 1 out of 200 Visa Olympics merchandise when you exclusively purchase at an SM affiliate. 5. Participating affiliates are: The SM Store, Ace Hardware/ Ace Builders, Our Home, Toy Kingdom, Pet Express, Kultura, Surplus Shop, Sports Central, Adidas/Nike Shop/ New Balance, Levi’s Mall, The Body Shop, Crocs, Miniso, Bata, Under Armour, Innisfree, Dyson, Crate & Barrel, Baby Company, Joseph, CK Platinum. 6. Fill out the e-raffle with complete name, age, address, contact number, first digit and last 4 numbers on credit card in SM-Visa raffle booths located in SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall, the Podium, SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall, and SM Seaside City Cebu. Deadline of submission of entries is on February 15,2020 at 10 PM or mall’s closing hours. 7. Customer must be 18 years old or older to join the promo. 8. Raffle draw will be held on February 27, 2020, Thursday at SM Aura Premier’s Admin Office, 6:00 PM. A DTI representative will be invited to witness the raffle draw. All drawn winning accounts shall be validated; in case any information is incorrect, the entry will be disqualified. Prizes may be claimed until April 26, 2020 or 60 days from receipt of notification. i. Winners can only be drawn once. In case a name was drawn more than once, he/she will get the prize of higher value. ii. Passport should be valid at least six (6) months before the travel date. iii. All out-of-pocket expenses are the responsibility of the individual prize winner and, where applicable, their nominated guest. iv. Participants shall be solely responsible for travel documents, visa, and any taxes or duties payable by them as a result of participation in the promotion or winning or using the prize. v. SM Supermalls and Visa reserve the right to verify the eligibility of the winning entry. That is, the winner’s Visa card account must be active and in good standing for the duration of the raffle draw and the 60-day redemption period. 9. Winners will be notified via phone call through contact details given, and announced via social media sites of participating SM Supermalls. Winners will be given sixty (60) days from receipt of notification to claim the prize. After the 60-day claiming period, unclaimed prize will be forfeited in favour of SMM Supermalls’ participating malls with prior approval of DTI. i. Upon claiming his/her prize, winner must present registered mail, two (2) valid forms of identification or government-issued I.D. (any of the following: Driver’s License, SSS I.D, Passport, Birth Certificate, TIN). ii. Winner must present his/her winning VISA credit card upon claiming his/her prize. iii. Requirement of winner’s representative in claiming the prize – an authorization letter from the winner, winner’s registered mail, winning claim stub, photocopy of winner’s VISA credit card and valid identification (Passport, Driver’s License or SSS I.D. of both the winner and his/her representative). The winner’s representative must also present original copies of the same Merchant Offers Resource Center Content Downloaded On: November 26, 2019 01:39 3 required valid forms of identification and a copy of the winner’s TIN. iv. Prizes can be claimed at the respective Admin Office of the participating mall where purchase was made, between 4:00PM to 7:00PM only, Mondays to Saturdays. v. Winner will shoulder the 20% Prize Tax for prizes exceeding PHP 10,000.00 vi. The prize is transferable but not convertible to cash or any other item. Prize may be transferred to the winner’s nominated recipient who is able to satisfy the requirements for the claiming of prize. vii. All participating malls and VISA reserve the right to disclose and publish name, photos and other information of the winner in any mode or manner, as relevant to the Promotion, in any mode or manner as they may deem appropriate. viii. SM Supermalls and Visa reserve the right to disclose and publish name, photos and other information of the winner in any mode or manner, as relevant to the Promotion, in any mode or manner as they may deem appropriate. ix. Employees, Management and Board of Directors of Shopping Center Management Corp. and VISA and its accredited advertising agencies and their relatives up to 2nd degree of consanguinity or affinity are disqualified from participating in the promotion. x. The promo organizer’s decision with regards to the Promo Mechanics, winners and prizes, with the concurrence of DTI, is final. xi. By participating in the promotion and/or accecpting the prizes, the promotion cardholder agrees to hold Visa and SM free and harmless from any loss, injury, or damage caused by or arising from his/her participating in the promotion or caused by or arising from his/her acceptance in the promo. DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-20477, Series of 2019

Visa - SM Cinema Online Wednesdays

Get PhP 100 off movie tickets when you buy online every Wednesday! Use your Visa card online and get PhP 100 off for a minimum purchase of 2 movie tickets. Merchant Terms & Conditions 1. Offer can only be availed by using a Visa card to purchase. 2. Not valid in conjunction with other promos. Visa Terms and Conditions 1 Eligibility 1.1 Online Wednesdays is open to all principal and supplementary holders of Visa Credit, Debit, Prepaid and Commercial cards issued in the Philippines (""Cards"") (""Cardholders""). 2 Promotion Mechanics and Conditions 2.1 The Promotion commences on September 1, 2019 to July 30, 2020 (“Promotion Period”). All transactions must be made within the Promotion Period to avail of the Promotion. 2.2 Get PhP 100 off for a minimum purchase of two (2) movie tickets at Merchant Offers Resource Center Content Downloaded On: September 17, 2019 09:57 2 smcinema.com on Wednesdays during the promo period. 2.3 Purchase must be made online and paid using a Visa card. 2.4 To avail of the offer, cardholder must enter Visa card details in the Credit/Debit/Prepaid Card Payment section. PhP 100 will be automatically deducted from the total bill. 2.5 Splitting of transactions is prohibited. 2.6 In case of disputes on the ticket purchase, a printout of the movie ticket voucher and payment confirmation must be presented to the SM Cinema branch selected by the cardholder. 2.7 This promo cannot be used in conjuction with any other promotional offer, free Senior Citizen movie passes, free movie passes, Cine Fiesta movies or commercial block screenings. 2.8 In the purchase of goods and services which are on promotional discounts, the Senior Citizen can avail of the promotional discounts or the discounts provided under the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, whichever is higher. 2.9 Visa reserves the right, in its discretion, to change, suspend or cancel the Promotion at any time without notice to you, subject to any written directions from a relevant Philippines regulatory authority. Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 14707, Series of 2019.

Ortigas Malls Feast with Treats

Banking on Malabing Valley MPC, Nueva Vizcaya cooperative’s citrus farming

Malabing Valley Multi-Purpose Cooperative General Manager Daniel Bartong (left) showcases Satsuma fruits (bottom, right) in the Coop’s orchard, where they also operate plant nurseries (top, right) which produces varieties of citrus fruits. KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya – In the mountainous terrains of Malabing Valley in this 3rd class municipality, around 400,000 trees of Satsuma, Ponkan, Red Chandler (Pomelo) and other varieties of citrus thrive in its rich soil and cool climate. “For sweet citrus fruits, the ideal place to grow them is where the climate is cold in the evening and a bit warmer during the day,” said Daniel Bartong, General Manager of the Cooperative. The Malabing Valley Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) is an agri-based cooperative engaged in citrus and vegetable production, and is recognized as one of the major producers of citrus fruits in the province. It has more than 2,000 members – almost 500 of whom are citrus farmers – with some 500 hectares of total aggregate orchard. But the Cooperative’s beginnings were not as sweet as the fruits they are harvesting today. The Cooperative was founded by Alfonso Namujhe, Jr. in 1991 after developing a passion for home grown citrus from his parents who were then planting dalandan in the valley. Considered the father of citrus industry in the province today, Namujhe pursued his passion and formed Malabing Valley MPC with 48 members and Php16,300.00 as start-up capital. “Citrus production needs a considerable amount of financial investment. For example, it takes around 3 to 4 years for the trees to bear fruit. After that, you will need around half a million pesos to maintain one hectare of orchard,” said Bartong.                                                                     With the amount of investment needed for citrus production, Malabing Valley MPC sought assistance from lending institutions to help them start out. However, this proved to be difficult since no bank wanted to take a chance on them, except Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK). “When we first started, LANDBANK was the only one who trusted our Cooperative and the citrus industry as an income-generating business. There were many lending institutions but they did not believe in us and the viability of the industry,” added Bartong. Through their initial credit exposure with LANDBANK in the 1990s, the Malabing Valley MPC was able to re-lend to their farmer-members to provide for their farming needs and produce quality citrus fruits, which in return improved the income of its members. Currently, the Cooperative markets its produce in Nueva Vizcaya, Northern and Central Luzon, Baguio City, and the National Capital Region (NCR). In 2018, LANDBANK approved a P226 Million credit line to the Cooperative for its rediscounting line, working capital, and term loan-relending for Citrus Production (new plantation and rejuvenation) which benefited 1,340 SFFs and other member-borrowers close to 2,000. The Cooperative has been an active borrower of LANDBANK for 29 years already and an active member of the Nueva Vizcaya Credit Surety Fund (NVCSF). To ensure the sustainability of the Cooperative’s business,  Mr. Alfonso Namujhe, Jr., who introduced Satsuma production in the area, together with the entire membership of Malabing Valley MPC, continue to study about the latest technological advancements in citrus production, with the help of the Nueva Vizcaya State University and other government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and local farmer-scientists.  “Maraming salamat sa LANDBANK dahil naniwala sila sa amin. Sana po ay tuloy-tuloy ang partnership namin sa LANDBANK at marami pa silang matulungan na mga magsasaka,” said Bartong.

LANDBANK joins gov’t collab against hunger, poverty

(Seated) Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (5th from left) leads the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the national government’s Expanded Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program.  Signatories to the MOU include (seated, L-R) LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo, NIA Admin. Ricardo Visaya, TESDA Sec. Isidro Lapeña, DAR Sec. John Castriciones, DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista, DA Sec. William Dar, POPCOM Deputy Exec. Dir. Lolito Tacardon, (standing, L-R) DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, NNC Exec. Dir. Azucena Dayanghirang, DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III, DILG Sec. Eduardo Año, DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones, DOST Usec. Brenda Nazareth-Manzano, NAPC Sec. Noel Felongco, WFP Philippines Deputy County Dir. Mats Persson, and UN FAO Asst. Rep.Tamara Palis-Duran. The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has officially joined the Expanded Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program—a collaborative government initiative designed to mitigate hunger, promote food security, and reduce poverty in the country by year 2030. Together with Cabinet members and senior government officials, LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the Bank’s participation last December 9 in Malacañang, Manila. “We are honored to collaborate and contribute to this concerted endeavor against hunger and poverty. Our participation in the EPAHP Program complements our efforts to find new ways to reach and help underserved and underprivileged areas. This is once again an opportunity for us to support and participate in the National Government’s community-building programs,” President Borromeo said. Under the MOU, LANDBANK is tasked to provide credit support to community-based organizations (CBOs) for food production, processing, and marketing, which is consistent with its mandate to spur inclusive and sustainable development in rural communities and marginalized areas. LANDBANK will extend credit assistance to eligible CBOs such as cooperatives, agrarian reform beneficiary organizations, small water impounding systems associations, irrigators associations, day care services parents groups, smallholder farmer associations, fishers organizations, and people’s organizations, among others. The EPAHP initiative aims to contribute in addressing hunger and poverty in the country by converging relevant programs of participating government agencies to maximize results for the benefit of the poor and marginalized. Through the MOU signing, LANDBANK officially joins the EPAHP Program team alongside the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM).

BTr, LANDBANK offer 23rd Retail Treasury Bonds for financial inclusion, literacy

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon (center) leads the launching of the 23rd issuance of the Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB 23). She is joined by LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (2nd from right), (from L-R) First Metro Investment Corporation President Rabboni Francis Arjonillo, Security Bank Capital Corporation Managing Director Virgilio O. Chua, DBP President and CEO Emmanuel G. Herbosa, and BDO Capital and Investment Corporation President Eduardo V. Francisco. The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is selling to the general investing public the Bureau of Treasury’s (BTr) 23rd tranche of the Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB 23), aligned with the National Government’s goal of promoting financial inclusion and literacy in the country. Interested investors may purchase RTB 23 with a minimum investment of only P5,000 and in integral multiples thereafter, with an annual fixed interest rate of 4.375% within a 3-year term. The public offer period is currently ongoing until February 6, 2020. LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo expressed optimism in drawing a warm public reception for RTB 23, following the highly successful run of RTB 22 and the Premyo Bonds last year. “Our new offering of RTB 23 is a direct response to the growing public demand for safe, affordable, and higher-yielding investment products. Likewise, it reflects the Government’s continuous commitment towards fostering financial inclusivity among Filipino families, where everyone is invited to take part in securing a more financially stable future,” President Borromeo said during the official launch of RTB 23 last January 28. Consistent with the general design of RTBs, RTB 23 caters to the financial capacity of individual investors, referred to as retail investors, to access low-cost, low-risk, and short-term investments which provide higher returns than time deposits. The proceeds generated from RTBs are utilized by the National Government to help fund major socioeconomic projects and initiatives. This year, the BTr is also introducing an Exchange Offer program wherein holders of RTB 3-08, issued on April 11, 2017 and maturing on April 11, 2020, will be allowed to exchange and reinvest their bond holdings for the latest RTB 23 offering at no cost and on improved terms. RTB 23 made more accessible LANDBANK account holders here and abroad can invest in RTB 23 with ease and convenience via online purchase. This is possible through the first-ever Retail Treasury Bond (RTB) Online Facility launched by the BTr in partnership with LANDBANK last year. The RTB Online Facility automates the buying process through an online order form that is linked to LANDBANK Link.Biz Portal—an internet-based payment channel designed to accept payment of fees, dues, and charges from clients of enrolled merchants. Interested investors can avail of RTB 23 until February 6 by logging on to the BTr’s official website (www.treasury.gov.ph) or by visiting the nearest LANDBANK Branch.