CAGAYAN DE ORO, Misamis Oriental – In the uplands of this town, Ruben Gicabao and wife Lilibeth run an agri-business trading company which helps support the livelihood of some 500 small farmers in their community and neighboring areas who plant cassava, a nutrient-dense root vegetable used as raw material in food processing.
Leaving his job in Manila after his father passed away in 2004, Ruben decided to revisit his father’s hometown in Cagayan de Oro City where he would eventually expand his father’s cassava trading business, the Agri de Oro VMB Marketing.
The company started its operations by purchasing cassava from small farmers within their 50-meter radius in the neighboring towns of the Provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.
“We process the cassava from the farmers to produce granules which are sold to feed mills and traders. But as the demand for cassava chips rose over the years, my wife and I realized that we needed more capital to purchase enough cassava from more farmers, at the right and justifiable price,” Ruben said.
In 2008, the couple applied for, and was granted a short-term loan (STL) assistance from Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), which enabled them to work with about 500 small farmers who plant cassava, even just in their own backyards.
Ruben also employs up to 30 laborers for his agri-business, helping provide employment for the local community. On top of this, he would sometimes offer financial assistance to the farmers when cassava is not yet in season, as he understood the financial challenges of small farmers in terms of capital.
“Through LANDBANK’s assistance, we were able to expand our business and market. Currently, Agri de Oro VMB Marketing already distributes cassava chips to big companies like San Miguel Foods Corporation, Bounty Fresh Food, Inc., New YUNG Yang Felan Farm, and Agricola, to name a few,” Ruben added.
More than just cassava trading, Ruben’s agri-business continues to support not only his own family, but also the small farmers, their families, and the local community. To date, LANDBANK has supported Agri de Oro VMB Marketing through financial assistance worth Php20 million, promoting inclusive growth especially in unbanked and underserved areas.
LANDBANK provides financial assistance to agri-businessmen like Ruben, who are the unsung catalysts for countryside development and poverty alleviation. It is the biggest credit provider to small farmers and fishers, and microenterprises among government financial institutions.
Last year, LANDBANK’s loans to the agriculture sector reached P236.31 billion, exceeding its yearend target of P231.25 billion. Of this amount, P44.82 billion were outstanding loans to small farmers, fishers, cooperatives, and farmers associations, while P191.49 billion were loans to other players in the agri-business value chain.
Batanes goes cash-lite powered by LANDBANK, provincial gov’t
Business owners and vendors in Batanes now accept payments through a Quick Response (QR) code following the launch of LANDBANK’s Cash-Lite Batanes initiative, designed to transform the province into a digital payment hub. BASCO, Batanes – LANDBANK, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Batanes, is leading this Province’s shift towards a cash-lite economy by expanding access to innovative digital payment solutions. This initiative reinforces the Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion, ensuring residents, businesses, and local government units (LGUs) benefit from seamless and secure cashless transactions. Through the Cash-Lite Batanes initiative, Ivatans and tourists can now enjoy safe, efficient, and hassle-free transactions across the province using LANDBANK’s mobile and electronic payment services, while reducing reliance on physical cash. Currently, 1,665 business establishments and over 4,900 Ivatans—including tricycle drivers, social protection program beneficiaries, students, and households—are potential candidates for onboarding under this initiative. The Bank aims to equip them with their own LANDBANK accounts by year-end, ensuring broader financial access and inclusion. “The Cash-Lite Batanes initiative advances our efforts to bring financial services closer to underserved communities. Despite geographical challenges and infrastructure constraints, this initiative proves that digital transformation is possible with strong local government support and proactive community engagement, making modern banking accessible even in remote areas,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (7th from right) and Director Virginia N. Orogo (9th from right), alongside Batanes Vice Governor Ignacio C. Villa (5th from right), Provincial Administrator Justine Jerico H. Socito (3nd from right), and Provincial Human Resource Officer Annamarie A. Rosas (4th from right), lead the launch of the Cash-Lite Batanes initiative on 08 March 2025. LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz and Director Virginia N. Orogo, together with Batanes Vice Governor Ignacio C. Villa, Provincial Administrator Justine Jerico H. Socito, and Provincial Human Resource Officer Annamarie A. Rosas, led the launch of the Cash-Lite Batanes initiative on 08 March 2025, coinciding with the Provincial Government’s International Women's Day celebration. They were joined by Basco Mayor German Caccam, Ivana Mayor Celso B. Batallones, Uyugan Mayor Jonathan Enrique V. Nanud Jr., Sabtang Mayor Prescila A. Babalo, LANDBANK Executive Vice Presidents Liduvino S. Geron, Ma. Celeste A. Burgos, and Leila C. Martin, Senior Vice President Catherine Rowena B. Villanueva, Chief of Staff and First Vice President Atty. Nikkolas G. Tolentino, First Vice President Eden B. Japitana, and Vice President Liza J. Melendez. As the first bank to establish its presence in Batanes, LANDBANK is actively onboarding merchants, business establishments, and cardholders onto digital channels, enabling local enterprises—from small vendors to large retailers—to accept QR payments. This enhances business efficiency and elevates customer experience, positioning Batanes as a leader in digital adoption for remote communities. The Provincial Government of Batanes has played a key role in driving the success of LANDBANK’s Cash-Lite Batanes initiative. To accelerate the shift to digital payments, the local government has introduced ordinances aligned with the Paleng-QR Ph Program of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), mandating the adoption of QR PH digital payments among businesses and transport providers. In collaboration with local units and agencies, the Provincial Government is also enhancing infrastructure to support the transition towards a cash-lite community. A key initiative includes the deployment of 72 new Wi-Fi modems—sponsored by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)—to local government units to address Internet connectivity concerns. 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.
LEARN MORE
Bulacan co-op empowers communities with LANDBANK
“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.
LEARN MORE
LANDBANK mobile banking app wins ‘most innovative’ award
(Left photo) LANDBANK Executive Vice Presidents Ma. Celeste A. Burgos (left) and Leila C. Martin (center) accept the ‘Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application’ award at the 12th International Finance Awards (IFA) 2024, recognizing the Bank's leadership in digital banking innovation and financial inclusion. BANGKOK, Thailand – LANDBANK has been recognized for its digital banking excellence, winning the ‘Most Innovative Banking Application’ at the 12th Annual International Finance Awards (IFA) 2024. The award underscores LANDBANK’s commitment to leveraging digital innovation to enhance financial inclusion and empower Filipinos with seamless, secure, and efficient banking services. "This IFA award reaffirms LANDBANK's drive to transforming the banking landscape in the Philippines. Our Mobile Banking App equips every Filipino with essential tools to navigate their financial journey—from opening an account online, to managing finances, and investing in government instruments—all with greater confidence and convenience," said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. LANDBANK Executive Vice Presidents Leila C. Martin and Ma. Celeste A. Burgos received the award on behalf of the Bank during the IFA ceremony held on 21 February 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. The IFA recognizes outstanding industry talent, leadership, and financial capability on a global scale. In 2016, IFA also awarded LANDBANK as the “Most Socially Responsible Bank” in the Philippines for its strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection. “We will remain steadfast in developing innovative banking solutions, staying true to our promise of empowering Filipinos for a better future,” LANDBANK President Ortiz added. Record growth in digital transactions The LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) continues to record unprecedented growth, with transaction volume increasing 94% generating facilitating 106.82 million transactions amounting to P450.59 billion in value. With 2.1 million users, this surge underscores the growing trust and adoption of Filipinos to LANDBANK’s digital banking services. Designed for efficiency and accessibility, the LANDBANK MBA provides a seamless platform for online fund transfers, bills payment, and account opening. Clients can download the LANDBANK MBA for free on Google Play, Apple App Store, and Huawei App Gallery, offering Filipinos a secure and convenient banking experience anytime, anywhere. 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.
LEARN MORE
