Alicia Mayor Joel Amos P. Alejandro (center) inspects the municipal government’s purchase of palay directly from local farmers at premium prices, with support from a P65-million loan under LANDBANK’s Palay at Mais ng Lalawigan Lending Program, which helped stabilize the local prices of palay and provided a ready and steady market for farmers’ produce.
ALICIA, Isabela – Situated in the “Queen Province of the North,” the Municipality of Alicia is surrounded with vast tracts of rich agricultural lands planted mostly to palay and corn. Having the largest irrigated rice fields in the region, Alicia is considered the largest rice producer in Cagayan Valley.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, affected market conditions for these farmers, as health and safety lockdowns limited the movement of buyers, traders, and produce.
To address this growing concern, the municipal government decided to pursue high-impact projects to help boost the productivity of its more than 1,000 farmers and ensure local food security.
This led the administration of Alicia Mayor Joel Amos P. Alejandro to partner with local farmers’ cooperatives and associations to directly purchase the palay produced by local farmers at premium prices.
Through the assistance of Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), the Alicia LGU applied for a P65-million credit facility for a Permanent Working Capital (PWC) under the Bank’s Palay at Mais ng Lalawigan Lending Program.
Through the Program, the Alicia LGU buys palay at an indicative subsidized price of P15.00 to P16.00 per kilogram for wet palay, and P19.00 per kilogram for dry palay. This helped stabilize the prices of palay in Alicia, while providing a steady market for farmers’ produce.
The LGU, in turn, sells the procured palay processed into milled rice in public markets and other government institutions, such as government hospitals, jails, and other entities. The LGU also signed lease contracts with millers and warehouse owners to set up a streamlined rice milling arrangement in the area.
“Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa LANDBANK dahil sa kanilang programa para sa aming local farmers. Malaking tulong ito para sa aming munisipyo. I am also proud to note that we are the first LGU that availed and implemented this Program, which has so far proven to be successful. We are counting on LANDBANK to support our plans in expanding this program so that we may be able to support more palay farmers in Alicia,” Mayor Alejandro said.
Initially launched by LANDBANK and the Department of Agriculture (DA) in 2019 as the “PAlay aLAY sa Magsasaka ng Lalawigan,” the Program aims to provide a credit facility to Municipal, City, and Provincial LGUs to purchase palay produced by local farmers whose incomes have been affected by the drop in the farm gate price of palay. The Program has since been expanded in 2020 to cover the purchase of corn, in support of Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.
“We are closely working with local government partners to meet the production requirements of farmers and help ensure food security especially during this ongoing pandemic. We are thus encouraging more LGUs, especially those in rice and corn producing communities, to avail of the LANDBANK Palay at Mais ng Lalawigan Program to support our local farmers,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
The P10-billion funded facility is LANDBANK’s response to the National Government’s call to support the livelihood of local farmers, who can sell their palay and corn to their LGUs at a fair price rather than to unscrupulous rice traders who offer very low prices.
Additionally, LGUs may avail of farm machineries and equipment for post-harvest facilities to support their rice and corn-related activities. As of July 2021, LANDBANK has approved loans for the Program amounting to P3.85 billion for eight (8) LGUs.
As of July 31, 2021, LANDBANK has extended a total of P21 billion in outstanding loans to support the agri-aqua projects of LGUs nationwide.
Interested borrowers of the LANDBANK Palay at Mais ng Lalawigan 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.
For more updates, please follow the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), and Twitter (@LBP_Official); join our Viber community (@LANDBANK); or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
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LANDBANK shines with dual honors at PDS Awards
LANDBANK bags two awards at the Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Annual Awards Night in recognition of its contributions to advancing the Philippine capital market. (Right photo) Accepting the awards on behalf of LANDBANK are Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. Bongolan (2nd from left) and Assistant Vice President Glenn R. Aguda (3rd from left), presented by PDS Group President Ramon S. Monzon (leftmost) and PDEx President and CEO Antonio A. Nakpil (rightmost). MAKATI CITY, Philippines—Highlighting its growing contribution to advancing the Philippine capital market, LANDBANK was honored as one of the top-performing institutions at the 2025 Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Annual Awards Night. The state-run bank clinched 3rd place in the Top 5 Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers – Bank Category, in recognition of its vital role in facilitating the issuance of corporate fixed-income securities in 2024. The award honors institutions that led or arranged the largest volume of listed corporate securities offered during the year. The Bank also ranked 4th among the Top 5 Fixed-Income Brokering Participants, highlighting the Bank’s strong presence in the fixed-income market and significant contribution to overall trading volume by face amount. LANDBANK Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. Bongolan and Assistant Vice President Glenn R. Aguda accepted the awards on behalf of the Bank on 4 April 2025 at the Makati Diamond Residences. Since 2005, the PDS Group, comprising the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, has been recognizing outstanding performance, leadership, innovation, and contributions to the capital market through its annual awards. These accolades underscore LANDBANK's strategic role in deepening the local capital markets, in line with its broader mission of supporting agriculture and other key development sectors in driving inclusive and sustainable development. 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 extends P1.3-B financing for Isabela Feed Mill Complex
ILAGAN CITY, ISABELA — LANDBANK has sealed a financing deal with Sagittarian Agricultural Philippines, Inc. (SAPI) to support the construction of the Isabela Feed Mill Complex, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the country’s agricultural sector. Under the partnership, LANDBANK will provide a P1.2 billion loan to partially fund the development of the 15-hectare feed mill facility in the country’s corn capital, plus an additional P100 million credit line to support SAPI’s working capital needs. Strategically located in this city to maximize Isabela’s abundant corn supply, the Feed Mill Complex will be leased to Charoen Pokphand Philippines Corporation (CPFPC), a leading food and agro-industrial company and a long-standing LANDBANK client. The project is expected to increase corn prices from P1.00 to P2.00 per kilogram, benefiting an estimated 97,734 small farmers across Isabela and neighboring provinces. “With this investment, LANDBANK reaffirms its commitment to modernizing the agricultural sector, empowering local farmers, and strengthening the country’s food security and support the agriculture value chain,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The loan and credit line signing ceremony was led by LANDBANK Northern Luzon Lending Group Head First Vice President Eduardo N. Reyes Jr. and Northern Isabela Lending Center Head Myra Myrtha M. Padolina, alongside SAPI President and CEO Jose Avelino C. Diaz and Corporate Secretary Atty. Danver Albert R. Arzaga. Also present as witnesses were City of Ilagan Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz, Vice Mayor Kyrill S. Bello, CPFPC Vice President Suchart Panparn, Assistant Vice President Darwin Lictawa, and LANDBANK Account Officer Honeylee B. Gomez. 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 sees surge in digital banking usage in 2024
The LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) powered the Bank’s digital surge in 2024, logging 106.82 million transactions or almost double the previous year’s total of 55.2 million. LANDBANK recorded a significant increase in digital banking transactions in 2024, driven by the growing shift of customers to online banking services and the Bank’s sustained investments in enhancing its digital platforms. The Bank facilitated a total of 162.28 million digital transactions, marking a 67% expansion from 97.08 million in 2023, with a total value of ₱3.38 trillion, up 38% from ₱2.45 trillion. “Digital banking is not just about convenience—it’s about inclusion. Through our digital banking channels, we are empowering every Filipino to take control of their finances. Our goal is to make safe, reliable, and convenient banking accessible to all, especially our farmers and fishers, business owners, OFWs, and government agencies,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) led the growth in the Bank’s total transaction volume, with a record 106.82 million transactions in 2024—nearly double the 55.2 million transactions recorded in the prior year. Through the MBA, users can perform a wide range of banking services, including fund transfers, bill payments, and investing in government securities. Among the App’s major enhancements last year was the straight-through account opening feature, which allows customers to open a digital account online via smartphones without visiting a branch. In terms of transaction value, the Bank’s corporate Internet banking platform, weAccess, recorded the highest volume at ₱1.36 trillion. This marks a 43% year-on-year growth from ₱952.14 billion in 2023. LANDBANK’s other major digital channels include iAccess, an online retail banking channel; Link.BizPortal, a web-based payment channel; Electronic Modified Disbursement System (eMDS), a facility for institutional clients and national government partners; and LANDBANK Bulk Crediting System (LBCS), an electronic bulk disbursement facility. The LANDBANK MBA was named the “Most Innovative Banking Application” at the 12th Annual International Finance Awards 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Bank was likewise recently recognized as the “Best e-Banking Services Provider” and “Most Reliable Mobile Banking App Provider” at the World Business Outlook Awards 2025 by Singapore-based business magazine, World Business Outlook. Bringing banking closer to more Filipinos As part of its broader digital transformation agenda, LANDBANK continues to innovate how it brings banking services closer to more Filipinos—especially those in underserved and remote areas. LANDBANK began rolling out “phygital” branches in December 2024 that combine physical and digital services for a more streamlined, seamless, and delightful customer experience. These branches showcase a refreshed look, equipped with self-service machines, new queuing and tellering systems, meeting pods, and interactive zones. To further extend its reach, the Bank is ramping up its LANDBANKasama Program, which brings basic banking services to far-flung and underserved areas. By partnering with local cooperatives, associations, rural banks, LGUs, MSMEs, and private entities, the Bank empowers these community-based partners to serve as LANDBANKasama partners, providing services such as cash withdrawal, deposit, fund transfers, bills payment, and balance inquiry. LANDBANK is also pioneering cash-lite ecosystems in key areas, starting with the Province of Batanes. By promoting the use of digital payments and equipping local merchants, residents, students and LGUs with digital financial tools and skills, the initiative promotes the use of cashless transactions as a safer, faster, and more convenient way to manage daily financial needs—ultimately reducing reliance on physical cash and fostering a digitally inclusive local economy. With its digital strategy in full swing, LANDBANK remains committed to accelerating digital transformation and delivering enhanced customer experience across the country—anchored on its mandate to serve the agriculture sector, empower small farmers and fishers, and drive inclusive and sustainable national development for all Filipinos. 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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