(Left photo) Rice Farmers from the province of Bulacan show their SURE Aid cash cards which contain P15,000 cash assistance from the Department of Agriculture and Land Bank of the Philippines. With them are (top row from left to right) LANDBANK Agricultural and Development Lending Sector Head Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron, DA Region 3 Chief Operations Officer Benjamin A. Baltazar, Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando, LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo, Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio C. Cruz, Bulacan Board Members Romeo V. Castro and Bernardo B. Ople, Jr., and Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo. (Right photo) Governor Fernando and President Borromeo assist one of the SURE Aid beneficiaries in cashing out the grant at a LANDBANK mobile atm on site.
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan – The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) once again partnered for the distribution of the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program (SURE Aid) Cash Cards to almost 800 palay farmers in the Province of Bulacan last November 7, 2019 at the Pavilion Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center.
Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando and LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo led the launch together with Board Members Romeo V. Castro, Jr. and Bernardo B. Ople, Jr., Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio C. Cruz, DA Region 3 Chief Operations Officer Benjamin A. Baltazar, Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillio, and LANDBANK Agricultural and Development Lending Sector Head Executive Vice President Liduvino S. Geron.
The SURE Aid Program is the government’s initial relief response to palay farmers who are tilling one hectare of land and below, and are affected by the drop in the farm gate price of palay this year. From the initial allocation of P1.5 billion, the Program’s fund is now at P2.5 billion, to be given as loan assistance to rice farmers nationwide either directly or through DA-accredited service conduits.
“Ang pagsasaka ay pundasyon ng sambayanan kaya ang pagbibigay suporta sa mga magsasaka ay tahasang nagpapatatag sa haligi ng ating lipunan,” said Governor Fernando.
During the event, LANDBANK distributed pre-loaded LANDBANK SURE Aid Cash Cards containing the P15,000 loan assistance to all qualified farmers from 20 cities and municipalities in Bulacan. The one-time, zero-interest, no collateral loan is payable up to eight years.
“Makakaasa po kayo na patuloy na pinalalakas ng LANDBANK ang suporta para sa inyo. Sa pakikipagtulungan sa DA, DAR, sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Bulacan, at iba pang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan, sama-sama po nating isulong ang kapakanan ng bawat magsasaka dito sa Bulacan at sa buong bansa,” said President Borromeo.
To complement this effort, LANDBANK has recently launched the “PAlay aLAY sa Magsasaka ng Lalawigan" (PALAY ng Lalawigan) Program which will lend to Provincial/City/Municipal governments of rice-producing provinces to help them procure palay produced by local farmers. The Program also aims to supplement the procurement activities that will be undertaken by the National Food Authority.
The Bank has initially earmarked P10 billion to fund the Program. Eligible LGUs may avail of working capital loans for the procurement of palay at 2% per annum. The Bank shall also extend term loan for the acquisition of farm machineries and equipment (post-harvest facilities), and other rice-related projects at considerable terms.
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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