CALAYAN, Cagayan – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) approved a P200-million loan for the Municipal Government of Calayan to finance infrastructure projects for its development and recovery efforts, amid the ongoing health crisis.
The local government acquired the financing under the LANDBANK RISE UP LGUs (Restoration and Invigoration Package for a Self-sufficient Economy towards UPgrowth for LGUs) Lending Program, designed to provide the funding requirements of provincial, city and municipal local government units (LGUs) for the implementation of their respective economic recovery plans.
Part of the 15-year term loan will be used to put up a 270-square meter quarantine facility in Barangay Dadao that will expand the municipality’s healthcare capacity in a bid to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The 60-bed quarantine facility—which will feature individual partitions and lavatories—will replace schools currently being used as isolation areas for residents suspected or have tested positive for the virus. The facility is seen to enhance the comfort of patients while undergoing quarantine or treatment.
“LANDBANK continues to provide for the recovery and development requirements of our partner LGUs in response to the pandemic. We are focused on ramping-up initiatives in support of building resiliency and revitalizing local communities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
The LANDBANK loan will also cover the construction of a perimeter security fence for Calayan’s community airport, which facilitates the delivery of vaccines and relief goods to the island, as well as the transport of patients under critical condition.
As part of Calayan’s development plan, the loan will also finance the concreting of the Babuyan Main Road and the routes connecting Caanawan to Kataruman, Dibay to Dilam, and Balatubat to Minabel, effectively doubling the Municipality’s concreted road network to 60% from the current 30%.
The road project is expected to reduce travel time around the island and eliminate slippery dirt roads during the rainy season, making transport safer and more efficient for locals, which includes 1,250 local farmers regularly transporting their agricultural produce.
The P200-M loan will also be used to finance the acquisition of a patrol boat and construction of the following facilities: six (6) classrooms in different schools, one (1) school administrative building, and a 100-meter bridge in Brgy. Naguilian to help farmers safely transport their produce across a creek.
“Thank you to LANDBANK for being a reliable partner of LGUs in socioeconomic development and for providing us with the assistance we need for our projects, especially at this difficult time,” said Calayan Mayor Joseph M. Llopis.
The state-run Bank has previously financed Calayan’s other development projects, which include the purchase of a ferry which safely transports passengers from island to island, the construction of the Calayan airport, and concreting of the municipality’s road network.
As of 31 October 2021, LANDBANK has approved P94.03 billion in loans under the RISE UP LGUs Lending Program for 346 LGUs, including 45 cities, 35 provinces and 266 municipalities.
Boosting leasing and financial services: LLFC-ULFC merger complete with SEC approval
Following the merger of LANDBANK and UCPB in 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently approved the merger of LBP Leasing and Finance Corporation (LLFC) and UCPB Leasing and Finance Corporation (ULFC). LANDBANK President Lynette V. Ortiz (6th from left), LLFC President and CEO Michael P. Arañas (5th from left), and ULFC OIC Kristine Marie G. Cuevas (center), lead the turnover ceremony on 28 March 2025 at LANDBANK Plaza in Manila. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the documents governing the merger between LANDBANK subsidiaries—LANDBANK Leasing and Finance Corporation (LLFC) and UCPB Leasing and Finance Corporation (ULFC) on February 27, 2025—officially completing the consolidation, with LLFC as the sole surviving entity. The operational turnover and transition activities immediately followed the SEC approval. The integration is in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 65 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on 6 August 2024, which authorized the merger, as it eliminates unnecessary overlap in mandates and functions. The merger follows the 2022 integration of the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) into LANDBANK, which brought ULFC under LANDBANK’s umbrella. "This merger is a strategic step towards strengthening our leasing and finance operations, ensuring greater efficiency and financial capability to support key sectors. By consolidating LLFC and ULFC into a single entity, we are optimizing resources, expanding market reach, and bolstering our contribution to the government's inclusive growth agenda," said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The consolidation aligns with the government's broader effort of strengthening state-owned financial institutions by enhancing their capital base and operational efficiency. It positions LLFC to scale up support for agriculture, infrastructure development, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), aligning with LANDBANK’s mission of advancing inclusive and sustainable growth. LANDBANK assures all clients of LLFC and ULFC that the merger process was designed for a smooth and orderly transition, ensuring uninterrupted customer service. With this merger, LANDBANK expands its financial services and reinforces its role in driving national economic 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 unveils upgraded Optisaver Plus with free insurance
LANDBANK is raising the bar for savings accounts with the launch of OptiSaver Plus — an upgraded version of its high-interest OptiSaver account—designed to help Filipinos grow their funds while enjoying free insurance coverage for greater financial security. With tiered interest rates of up to 4% per annum, the LANDBANK OptiSaver Plus account provides depositors with free insurance coverage based on their Average Daily Balance (ADB). Optisaver Plus account holders receive life insurance coverage which scales with account balance tiers, rewarding higher savings with greater financial protection. Meanwhile, personal accident insurance offers additional coverage against accidents resulting in injury or loss, ensuring a safety net for depositors and their families. Maintaining a minimum ADB of ₱50,000 qualifies depositors for either free life insurance or free personal accident insurance, while those in the highest balance tier of ₱20 million and above receive both coverages. “With the LANDBANK OptiSaver Plus, we are empowering our clients to achieve financial growth while securing their future. By combining the benefits of higher savings potential and built-in financial protection, we are ensuring their hard-earned money works even harder for them as they build wealth with confidence,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. As a savings account, the LANDBANK OptiSaver Plus offers flexibility with no tenor, and allows account holders to unlimited deposits and withdrawals with seamless access through LANDBANK's digital banking channels for cardless LANDBANK Visa Debit Card transactions and at all LANDBANK Branches for passbook over-the-counter transactions. Interested clients can open an OptiSaver Plus account at any LANDBANK branch and receive a passbook for account monitoring. Meanwhile, existing OptiSaver account holders who wish to avail of the free insurance coverage may visit their LANDBANK branch of account to complete the necessary forms. Account holders will also receive the forms via email from their branch of account. 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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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.
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