LANDBANK lends P5.8-B to boost climate resiliency of agri sector

In support of building a climate-resilient agri-business value chain in the country, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has approved loans totaling P5.8 billion to 15 borrowers as of 30 June 2022.  Through the LANDBANK Climate Resilient Agriculture Financing Program, the Bank aims to finance farming technologies, systems, facilities and equipment that will help local farms and fisheries become more adaptive and resilient to the effects of climate change, such as severe storms and prolonged drought.  “LANDBANK supports investments in innovative technologies that will help address climate change risks in the agriculture sector. This modernization is aimed towards improving the production and income of our local farmers while ensuring national food security amid the changing global climate,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. The Program can finance crop, livestock, and fishery projects that utilize climate-resilient technologies, such as the adoption of planting materials and seedling techniques for climate-resistant food crops, pipe irrigation that helps prevent water loss during dry season, and climate-adaptive farming systems such as terracing. Modern facilities and equipment that minimize harvest and post-harvest losses during typhoons can also be financed under the Program, including rice harvesters, dryers and outdoor grain storage facilities.  The Program can also provide credit fund for working capital and the construction of facilities such as greenhouses, reservoirs, rainwater collecting systems, and farm-to-market roads with drainage, and other new and emerging technologies approved and endorsed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the concerned Municipal Agricultural Office. Under the LANDBANK Climate Resilient Agriculture Financing Program, cooperatives, associations, and private borrowers categorized as single proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations may borrow up to 80% of the total project cost. Meanwhile, local government units (LGUs) may borrow not more than their net borrowing capacity as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF).    Term loans for working capital and permanent working capital are payable up to one (1) year and three (3) years, respectively, while loans for fixed assets and construction of facilities are payable based on cash flow but not more than its economic useful life. The interest rate shall be based on the prevailing market rate.  The LANDBANK Climate Resilient Agriculture Financing Program underscores the Bank’s commitment towards advancing a more resilient agriculture sector while promoting environmental sustainability.  Meanwhile, in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. identified climate change and its impact on agriculture as one of the top priorities of his administration. Through the years, LANDBANK has grown into one of the leading universal banks in the country, while remaining faithful to its social mandate to promote inclusive and sustainable development.  On 8 August 2022, the state-run Bank celebrated its 59th anniversary, representing almost six decades of service to the nation.

Estrella, Borromeo approve IRR on agrarian debt moratorium

Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III hold the signed implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Executive Order No. 4 Series of 2022.  In compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo, today, September 28, 2022, signed the Joint Administrative Order providing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Executive Order No. 4 Series of 2022, which declares a moratorium on the payment of land amortization and interests for agrarian reform beneficiaries. Signed by the President on September 13, 2022, the EO entitled, “Directing the Implementation of a Moratorium on the Payment of the Principal Obligation and Interest of the Amortization Due and Payable by Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries,” calls for a one-year moratorium on loan payments of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) who received agricultural land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). “It is our duty in the government to prioritize the farmers, not only because they are the ones who keep us alive, but because they will make our economy rise again,” the President said. The IRR signed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and LANDBANK specifies that the one-year moratorium covers the payment of the Principal Value and the Annual Interest Due and payable by the ARBs.  “The one-year moratorium period will provide the needed time for Congress to pass the law condoning the existing agrarian reform loans for the current ARBs and free land distribution for future beneficiaries,” Estrella said. It primarily covers the financial obligation to pay the total cost of the land under Presidential Decree No. 27, including interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum as provided under Section 6 of E.O. No. 228; and the financial obligation to pay the principal value including the six percent (6%) annual interest of the thirty (30)-year land amortization of the ARBs under Section 26 of RA No. 6657, as amended. “LANDBANK supports this historic initiative which is now taking off. We will provide immediate financial relief to ARBs nationwide, and yield positive results towards ensuring food security in the country,” said LANDBANK President Borromeo. LANDBANK serves as the collection agent of the National Government for land amortizations from ARBs, pursuant to its mandate as the financial intermediary of the CARP. All collections are remitted by the Bank to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) as part of the revenue of the National Government. The DAR-LANDBANK Joint Administrative Order covers the identification of beneficiaries qualified to avail of the one-year payment suspension, with the impact of the initiative to enhance the productivity and profitability of the ARBs duly documented and promoted.  EO No. 4 directs the DAR and LANDBANK to jointly submit to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, a comprehensive report on the implementation of this Order, including data on the number of ARBs actually covered and impact of the moratorium, among others. The DAR-LANDBANK Joint Administrative Order shall take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

MC - Ayala 5x Zing Points

Shop and dine with your Mastercard® credit card and make every swipe extra rewarding.   MASTERCARD® 5X Zing Bonus Points: Mechanics  1.    To be eligible under this promotion, the following must concur: The customer can be an existing or new Zing Plus Member at the time of the promotion The customer must have completed the registration process under the Zing application to become a Zing Plus Member by linking at least one Philippine issued Mastercard® - branded credit card/s (a maximum of three credit cards may be linked under Zing); The Zing Plus Member must use his/her linked Mastercard® - branded credit card to settle his/her transaction with any of the Zing Participating Merchants; The Zing Plus Member’s transaction in the relevant Zing Participating Merchant must be processed and completed within the relevant promotion period, i.e., from 12:00AM of August 1, 2022 up to 11:59PM of September 30, 2022; and A Zing Plus Member earns one (1) Zing point for every transaction worth Php200.00. With this promotion, a Zing Plus Member can earn an additional four Zing bonus points for every Php 200.00. To be entitled to the additional four bonus points under this promotion, the Zing Plus Member must spend at least Php1,000.00 in a single credit card transaction with any of the Zing Participating Merchants. The bonus points will be awarded to new or existing Zing Plus Member using the linked Philippine issued Mastercard® - branded credit card/s within the relevant promotion period. Regardless of the active and applicable promotions on a given day, a customer can earn a maximum of 500 Zing Points in a single transaction. There is also a maximum of 10,000 points that can be earned in a calendar year for Base Points (non-promotional) and another 10,000 Bonus Points that a customer can earn from sponsored or promotional programs. For this promotion, here are the sample computations of minimum and maximum points that can be earned in different purchase amounts. At minimum spend in Zing Participating Merchants at Ayala Malls: If Spend at  Zing Points  Points Earned  ₱1,000  Base Points  1,000/200 = 5 points  5 points  Bonus Points  5 points x 4 = 20 points  20 points  Total Points Earned  25 points  If spending in Zing Participating Merchants at Ayala Malls will reach the cap of Bonus Points:  If Spend at  Zing Points  Points Cap  Points Earned  ₱60,000   Base Points  60,000/200 = 300 points    300 points  Bonus Points  300 points x 4 = 1200 points  capped at 500  500 points  Total Points Earned    800 points  Earning with multiple promotions reaching cap: If Spend at  Zing Points  Points Cap  Points Earned  ₱120,000  Fixed Points  300 points    300 points Base Points  120,000/200 = 600 points  capped at 500   500 points Birthday Points  (120,000/200) x 1 = 600 points  capped at 500  500 points  Bonus Points   600 points x 4 = 2400 points  capped at 500  500 points  Total Points Earned  1800 points  Promo Terms & Conditions: 1. This promotion is open to all customers registered as Zing Plus members. 2. The promotion period is from August 15, 2022 until September 30, 2022. The Zing Plus Member’s transaction in the relevant Zing Participating Merchant must be processed and completed within the relevant promotion period, i.e., from 12:00AM of August 15, 2022 up to 11:59PM of September 30, 2022. 3. This promotion may be availed of by Zing Plus Members transacting with ZingMall, Cinemas and Zing Participating Merchants in the following participating Ayala Malls:   Mall Name LOCATION 1 Abreeza Davao 2 Alabang Town Center Muntinlupa 3 Ayala Center Cebu Cebu 4 Bonifacio High Street Taguig 5 Capitol Central Bacolod 6 Cebu Central Bloc Cebu 7 Centrio Cagayan de Oro 8 Circuit Makati 9 Cloverleaf Quezon City 10 Fairview Terraces Quezon City 11 Feliz Marikina 12 Glorietta Makati 13 Greenbelt Makati 14 HarborPoint Subic 15 Legazpi Legazpi 16 Manila Bay Paranaque 17 Marikina Marikina 18 Market! Market! Taguig 19 MarQuee Pampanga 20 One Bonifacio High Street Taguig 21 Serendra Taguig 22 Serin Tagaytay 23 Solenad Laguna 24 The 30th Pasig 25 The District Imus Imus 26 Trinoma Quezon City 27 UP Town Center Quezon City 28 Vertis North Quezon City 4. Zing at Ayala Malls shall have a period of 14 days within which to validate the transaction between the Zing Plus Member and the relevant Zing Participating Merchant before the Zing bonus points are awarded. After Zing validates the transaction, the Zing bonus points under this promotion shall be credited to the Zing Plus Member’s account. 5. This promotion may be applied in conjunction with other Zing Bonus Promotions and the Zing Birthday promotion as long as the eligible spend is done within the active period of each promotion. 6. All transactions are subject to the Zing Terms & Conditions a copy of which is accessible through the Zing application and/or at https://www.ayalamalls.com/. 7. Fraud, abuse or any unauthorized action relating to the participation and availment of this promotion will result in the disqualification of the Zing Plus Member from the said promotion. The matter of disqualification is subject to the sound discretion of ACCI. 8. Points Redemption: The Zing Plus Member can use the Zing bonus points earned under this promotion to redeem rewards from the Zing application. Points redemption is subject to the Zing Terms & Conditions accessible through the Zing application or at https://www.ayalamalls.com/. All related provisions of Zing at Ayala Malls shall continue to apply Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-149105 Series of 2022

MC - Ayala 300 Zing Points

Shop and dine with your Mastercard® credit card and make every swipe extra rewarding.   MASTERCARD® 500 Zing Bonus Points: Mechanics  1. Zing Plus Members with linked Philippine issued Mastercard® - branded credit cards shall earn 300 Zing Points upon spending at least Php1,500.00 in a single transaction using his/her linked Philippine issued Mastercard® - branded credit card with Zing Participating Merchants and Cinemas in participating Ayala Malls, and ZingMall. This is a fixed-points reward to be awarded ONCE to a new or existing Zing Plus Member upon reaching at least Php1,500 spend for the first during the promotion period. To be eligible under this promotion and earn 300 Zing points, the following conditions must concur:  The customer is a new or existing Zing Plus Member at the time of the transaction; The customer must have completed the registration process under the Zing application to become a Zing Plus Member and have linked at least one (1) Mastercard® branded credit card (a maximum of three credit cards may be linked under Zing); The Zing Plus Member must use his/her linked Philippine issued Mastercard® - branded credit card to settle his/her transaction with any of the Zing Participating Merchants and Cinemas in participating Ayala Malls, and ZingMall; and During the promotion period, the Zing Plus Member must spend at least Php1,500.00 in a single credit card transaction with any of the Zing Participating Merchants, Cinemas, and ZingMall. The bonus points will be awarded to the Zing Plus Member upon reaching at least Php1,500 spend for the first time using the linked Mastercard® -branded credit card within the relevant promotion period. For this promotion, here are the sample computations of minimum and maximum points that can be earned in different purchase amounts. At minimum spend in Zing Participating Merchants at Ayala Malls: If Spend at  Zing Points  Points Earned  ₱1,000  Base Points  1,000/200 = 5 points  5 points  Bonus Points  5 points x 4 = 20 points  20 points  Total Points Earned  25 points  If spending in Zing Participating Merchants at Ayala Malls will reach the cap of Bonus Points:  If Spend at  Zing Points  Points Cap  Points Earned  ₱60,000   Base Points  60,000/200 = 300 points    300 points  Bonus Points  300 points x 4 = 1200 points  capped at 500  500 points  Total Points Earned    800 points  Earning with multiple promotions reaching cap: If Spend at  Zing Points  Points Cap  Points Earned  ₱120,000  Fixed Points  300 points    300 points Base Points  120,000/200 = 600 points  capped at 500   500 points Birthday Points  (120,000/200) x 1 = 600 points  capped at 500  500 points  Bonus Points   600 points x 4 = 2400 points  capped at 500  500 points  Total Points Earned  1800 points  Promo Terms & Conditions: 1. This promotion is open to all customers registered as Zing Plus members. 2. The promotion period is from August 15, 2022 until September 30, 2022. The Zing Plus Member’s transaction in the relevant Zing Participating Merchant must be processed and completed within the relevant promotion period, i.e., from 12:00AM of August 15, 2022 up to 11:59PM of September 30, 2022. 3. This promotion may be availed of by Zing Plus Members transacting with ZingMall, Cinemas and Zing Participating Merchants in the following participating Ayala Malls:   Mall Name LOCATION 1 Abreeza Davao 2 Alabang Town Center Muntinlupa 3 Ayala Center Cebu Cebu 4 Bonifacio High Street Taguig 5 Capitol Central Bacolod 6 Cebu Central Bloc Cebu 7 Centrio Cagayan de Oro 8 Circuit Makati 9 Cloverleaf Quezon City 10 Fairview Terraces Quezon City 11 Feliz Marikina 12 Glorietta Makati 13 Greenbelt Makati 14 HarborPoint Subic 15 Legazpi Legazpi 16 Manila Bay Paranaque 17 Marikina Marikina 18 Market! Market! Taguig 19 MarQuee Pampanga 20 One Bonifacio High Street Taguig 21 Serendra Taguig 22 Serin Tagaytay 23 Solenad Laguna 24 The 30th Pasig 25 The District Imus Imus 26 Trinoma Quezon City 27 UP Town Center Quezon City 28 Vertis North Quezon City 4. Zing at Ayala Malls shall have a period of 14 days within which to validate the transaction between the Zing Plus Member and the relevant Zing Participating Merchant before the Zing bonus points are awarded. After Zing validates the transaction, the Zing bonus points under this promotion shall be credited to the Zing Plus Member’s account. 5. This promotion may be applied in conjunction with other Zing Bonus Promotions and the Zing Birthday promotion as long as the eligible spend is done within the active period of each promotion. 6. All transactions are subject to the Zing Terms & Conditions a copy of which is accessible through the Zing application and/or at https://www.ayalamalls.com/. 7. Fraud, abuse or any unauthorized action relating to the participation and availment of this promotion will result in the disqualification of the Zing Plus Member from the said promotion. The matter of disqualification is subject to the sound discretion of ACCI. 8. Points Redemption: The Zing Plus Member can use the Zing bonus points earned under this promotion to redeem rewards from the Zing application. Points redemption is subject to the Zing Terms & Conditions accessible through the Zing application or at https://www.ayalamalls.com/. All related provisions of Zing at Ayala Malls shall continue to apply Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-149105 Series of 2022

LANDBANK, Bongabong LGU lead groundbreaking of Agri-Hub

Bongabong Municipal Mayor Elegio A. Malaluan (5th from left) and Vice Mayor Richard S. Candelario (4th from left), together with LANDBANK representatives, lead the groundbreaking ceremony at the LGU municipal compound on 6 September 2022. The activity was witnessed by LGU officials and several local businessmen from the Municipality.   BONGABONG, Oriental Mindoro – To better serve the requirements of farmers and fishers, a Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) Agri-Hub will soon rise at the compound of the Municipal Government of Bongabong. Bongabong Mayor Elegio A. Malauan, together with LANDBANK Oriental Mindoro Lending Center Head, Assistant Vice President Edwin Roel Ramos; Calapan San Vicente Branch Head, Department Manager Ferdinand E. Abas; and Pinamalayan Branch Head Lizza Mae D. Camposano, led the groundbreaking ceremony on 6 September 2022. Mayor Malauan expressed his gratitude to LANDBANK, as the new touchpoint in the locality will spur local economic growth and development—which are priorities under his administration. “The establishment of this Agri-Hub is a testament to our continued commitment to serve key players in the agribusiness value chain. We hope to generate more economic opportunities and activities in the Municipality and nearby areas,” LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo said. The construction of the LANDBANK Bongabong Agri-Hub is set to commence within the month and expected to be inaugurated in late December 2022, in addition to the Bank’s 10 existing Agri-Hubs nationwide. The Bongabong Agri-Hub will provide accessible financial services mainly to the 12,233 farmers and fishers in the Municipality, to complement the nearest LANDBANK Lending Center in Calapan City. The Agri-Hub will also deliver banking services to public and private clients of the Bank, including 5,360 beneficiaries of National Government’s Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (CCT/UCT) Programs in the Municipality.  The LANDBANK touchpoint will be equipped with various digital banking platforms, including the Digital Onboarding System (DOBS), which simplifies the account opening process for new clients to only 10-15 minutes.

LANDBANK AgriSenso puts spotlight on affordable financing for agri players

(clockwise from upper left) LANDBANK Program Management Department I Head, Assistant Vice President Edgardo S. Luzano, together with Kuvi Integrated Farm owner Rogelio T. Giangan, Cagayan rice farmer Vanessa Morillo, and Dampe Palay and Sugarcane Producers Cooperative Chairperson Rodolfo H. Medina, leads the third run of the LANDBANK AgriSenso Virtual Forum, which puts the spotlight on the legislated programs jointly implemented by LANDBANK and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to support individual farmers and fishers and other agriculture players. State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) remains aggressive in extending affordable financing for individual farmers and fishers, and other players in the agriculture value chain through loan programs jointly implemented by the Bank with the Department of Agriculture (DA).  The third run of the LANDBANK AgriSenso Virtual Forum on 19 September 2022 featured loan availers, namely Kuvi Integrated Farm owner Rogelio T. Giangan from North Cotabato, rice farmer Vanessa Morillo from Sto. Niño, Cagayan, and Dampe Palay and Sugarcane Producers Cooperative Chairperson Rodolfo H. Medina from Floridablanca, Pampanga, who shared how their productivity and income improved following the financial support from LANDBANK and DA. LANDBANK Program Management Department I Head, Assistant Vice President Edgardo S. Luzano discussed available financing with as low as 2% annual interest rate for individual farmers and fishers and their cooperatives and associations, as well as for micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Lending Program, LANDBANK provides credit assistance for the purchase of farm inputs and acquisition of agricultural fixed assets. The loanable amount for individual farmers and fishers is up to P1 million, while cooperatives, associations and MSEs may borrow a maximum of P5 million.  As of 31 August 2022, the Bank has released a total of P8.1 billion in loans to over 35,500 borrowers under the ACEF Lending Program.   LANDBANK also implements the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF), which aims to help increase the productivity, efficiency and profitability of rice farmers and their cooperatives. Eligible program borrowers may avail of up to 90% of their total project cost.  Since the implementation of ERCA-RCEF in 2019, a total of P1.7 billion in loans has been released to more than 5,700 borrowers, including 46 cooperatives and associations that assisted over 18,300 farmers and fishers.  In support of the development of the country’s sugar industry, LANDBANK is also implementing the Socialized Credit Program under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SCP-SIDA). This facility is made available to individual sugarcane farmers, cooperatives, associations and common service centers, to finance up to 90% of their total project cost or financing requirement.  As of end-August 2022, the Bank’s loan releases under SCP-SIDA amounted to P612.3 million for 2,651 borrowers, benefiting over 6,700 sugarcane farmers.  The next run of the AgriSenso Virtual Forum will be held on 26 September 2022 to discuss other lending programs designed for small farmers and fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

LANDBANK assures available climate finance for adaptation, mitigation

LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (2nd from left) and other LANDBANK senior officials join Albay Representative Joey S. Salceda (3rd from left) and National Security Adviser Secretary Clarita R. Carlos (leftmost) at the Disaster and Climate Emergency Policy Forum on 22 September 2022, to discuss strategies and interventions to combat climate change. The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) assures local development stakeholders of continued access to climate finance under the Green Climate Fund (GCF), in support of projects for climate change adaptation and mitigation.    The state-run Bank expressed its continuous commitment in contributing to address the climate crisis at the Disaster and Climate Emergency Policy Forum on 22 September 2022, organized by the Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development (LCCAD), University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI), 4K Foundation, Komunidad Global, Albay Embassy and Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with the House of Representatives and the Office of Albay Rep. Joey S. Salceda.  “LANDBANK stands ready to extend necessary credit assistance to boost national and local resiliency and adaptive capacity to climate change. We are collaborating with various development partners, such as the GCF, towards building a more sustainable future,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. The GCF is an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement, dedicated to support global efforts to respond to the challenge of climate change. The program aims to help developing countries limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate change, by supporting programs and projects that promote a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate-resilient development. As a Direct Access Entity (DAE) of the GCF, LANDBANK channels grants and loans provided by the GCF to finance local projects that aim to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Bank leads the project development, management, monitoring and evaluation, in partnership with public and private entities.  In April of this year, LANDBANK and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) started the implementation of the very first GCF-approved project in the country. The GCF project titled, “The Multi-Hazard Impact-Based Forecasting and Early Warning System,” aims to shift from a traditional hazard-based to an impact-based forecasting and early warning system, to help the public take pre-emptive measures and improve disaster risk reduction in the long run. The project will benefit communities in the disaster-prone areas of Palo, Leyte; New Bataan, Davao de Oro; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; and Legazpi City, Albay.  LANDBANK is proposing for GCF approval eight other projects designed to promote climate change mitigation, adaptation and resiliency in the sectors of agriculture, health, transportation, renewable energy and energy efficiency, water resource management and ecosystem management. LANDBANK’s contribution to the GCF underscores its commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection, alongside facilitating the uninterrupted delivery of financial services to key economic development sectors. In his first address at the UN General Assembly on 21 September 2022 (Tuesday, September 20, New York Time), President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. also urged developed countries to extend climate financing to countries that are most vulnerable to climate change.

LANDBANK Prepaid Card Cash Bonanza Raffle Promo

LANDBANK deploys Mobile ATMs in typhoon-hit Nueva Ecija

(Lower photo courtesy of the Philippine Air Force) NUEVA ECIJA – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) deployed two (2) mobile automated teller machines (ATMs) in the Municipalities of Sta. Rosa and Cuyapo to respond to the emergency banking needs of residents, following the damage and disruption caused by the recent super typhoon “Karding.” A LANDBANK Mobile ATM was deployed to the Municipal Hall of Sta. Rosa on September 29, 2022, to serve the urgent cash requirements of locals in the area.  Meanwhile, another Mobile ATM was stationed at the Municipal Hall of Cuyapo the following day, September 30, 2022, in time for the payroll date of municipal employees and other LANDBANK customers.  The LANDBANK Mobile ATMs are designed to be deployed in areas with disrupted or limited access to banking services due to disasters or calamities, in line with LANDBANK’s commitment to provide unhampered banking services.  As of 03 October 2022, LANDBANK operates a total of 20 Mobile ATMs nationwide.

LANDBANK, UNICEF join hands to extend pre-disaster aid

LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (3rd from right) and UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov (4th from right) sign a banking services agreement on 06 October 2022, for the pilot run of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for Anticipatory Action. They are joined by UNICEF Deputy Representative for Programs Behzad Noubary (leftmost) and Deputy Representative for Operations Thomas Meyerer (5th from right), and LANDBANK Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca (2nd from right) and Assistant Vice President Domingo Conrado G. Galsim (rightmost). The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) signed a partnership agreement to ensure the smooth and speedy  disbursement of pre-disaster financial aid to some 22,000 families in typhoon-prone towns.  LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo and UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov led the ceremonial signing for a banking services agreement for the pilot run of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for Anticipatory Action on 06 October 2022 at the UNICEF Philippines Office in Mandaluyong City.  They were joined by UNICEF Deputy Representative for Programs Behzad Noubary and Deputy Representative for Operations Thomas Meyerer, alongside LANDBANK Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca, and Assistant Vice Presidents Domingo Conrado G. Galsim and Renato R. Aquino. Under the agreement, LANDBANK shall open an account on behalf of UNICEF for deposit and maintenance of funds among various banking services, including the crediting of multi-purpose cash transfers to the LANDBANK Prepaid Cards of identified Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program beneficiaries. “LANDBANK brings to the table our expertise as the distribution arm of the National Government’s social protection programs. This includes our extensive experience of delivering cash grants to the target sectors under the CCT and UCT (Unconditional Cash Transfer) programs covering 10 million beneficiaries nationwide,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Borromeo.  UNICEF Philippines Representative Dendevnorov said that the anticipatory approach reduces the costs of humanitarian response and allows affected populations to make informed decisions ahead of a humanitarian crisis. “In this context, we can say that cash transfers provided through Financial Service Providers (FSPs) like LANDBANK can improve the speed, efficacy and security of humanitarian aid delivery,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Dendevnorov. Target beneficiaries under the pilot CERF for Anticipatory Action include families residing in the municipalities of Baras, Bato, San Andres and Virac in Catanduanes, as well as the municipalities of Catarman, Catubig, Gamay, Mondragon, and San Roque in Northern Samar. The cash assistance worth P1,000 for each CCT beneficiary will be disbursed via LANDBANK Prepaid Cards, three days before the expected landfall of a Category 4 or 5 typhoon. Beneficiaries can use the prepaid cards to withdraw cash assistance from LANDBANK automated teller machines (ATMs) and Agent Banking Partners, and make cashless purchases in groceries and drugstores via point-of-sale (POS) terminals. LANDBANK recently upgraded the existing prepaid cards of the CCT beneficiaries into transaction accounts with expanded features to provide more convenient banking services, including cash card loading via LANDBANK branches, fund transfers through the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, and cash-in via LANDBANK Cash Deposit Machines.