Agriculture Secretary Dr. William D. Dar (3rd from right), LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (3rd from left), and Cagayan Gov. Manuel N. Mamba (2nd from right) present a ceremonial LANDBANK SURE Aid Cash Card to farmer Gerry Macapulay of Alcala, Cagayan (4th from left) during the launch of the SURE Aid Program in Cagayan. With them are 3rd District Board Member Rodrigo de Asis (extreme left), Municipal Agriculturist Eusebio Manuel (4th from right), LANDBANK Senior Vice President Filipina B. Monje (extreme right), and LANDBANK Assistant Vice President Victor A. Agorto (2nd from left). (Photo courtesy of DA-Communications Group).\
PEÑABLANCA, Cagayan – More than 800 farmers received a total of P12 million in loan assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) during the launch of the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers (SURE Aid) at the Capitol Gymnasium in this municipality.
Agriculture Secretary Dr. William D. Dar and LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo led the distribution of LANDBANK SURE Aid Cash Cards pre-loaded with the one-time P15,000 loan assistance to 803 qualified farmers from the Municipalities of Piat, Tuao, Amulung, Iguig, Solana, Alcala, Enrile, and Peñablanca. The zero-interest, no collateral loan is payable up to eight years.
They were joined by Cagayan Governor Manuel N. Mamba, DA Region 2 Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo, LANDBANK Northern and Central Luzon Lending Group Head Senior Vice President Filipina B. Monje, and LANDBANK Cagayan Lending Center Head Assistant Vice President Victor A. Agorto.
“The Province of Cagayan holds great potential in agriculture and aquaculture. As the provincial government, led by Gov. Mamba, nurtures this sector, LANDBANK is more than ready to provide the necessary developmental assistance to local industries, especially to small farmers, fishers and entrepreneurs,” President Borromeo said.
A total of P30 million has been allocated under the SURE Aid Program for the estimated 2,000 farmers in the Province of Cagayan who are tilling one hectare and below.
To date, some 41,000 palay farmers from 41 provinces nationwide have benefitted from the SURE Aid Program, with more than P600 million in loan assistance distributed under the Program.
Meanwhile, the DA also distributed various agricultural assistance and projects to the provincial government of Cagayan during the event, which included P321 million in hybrid seeds (P195 million for rice and P126 million for corn), and P187 million in agricultural machineries, irrigation facilities, and infrastructures.
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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