(Left) Farmers receive free farm inputs through the assistance of the Progressive Women Agrarian Reform Cooperative (PWARC) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). (Right) PWARC was officially established in 1999, with the co-op’s headquarters located in the Municipality of Dumarao, Capiz. DUMARAO, Capiz – The Progressive Women Agrarian Reform Cooperative (PWARC) has grown from a small organization in this remote Capiz town, into a successful and thriving cooperative that provides financial access to support its farmer-members. In 1998, PWARC was initially formed by 20 female founding-members from Barangay Gibato in this 2nd class municipality. It began as a modest savings group, offering financial services to the town’s residents with only P3,200.00 as starting capital. Soon after, the cooperative started to accept Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and male farmers as members and was officially registered as a cooperative in 1999. With PWARC’s membership steadily growing over the years, the co-op turned to the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) in 2015 and applied for a total P20-million loan line to finance the launch of their relending services to farmer-members in need of additional cash for agricultural production. Of this amount, the co-op utilized P16.65 million as a rediscounting line to finance salary, emergency, and negosyo loans for members, which now include small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “Through LANDBANK, we are able to extend financial assistance to our members at affordable interest rates. This helps our members earn more since they don’t have to turn to private lenders who can charge an interest rate of up to 20%,” said PWARC Chairwoman Cecilia G. Ibabao. In addition to financing, PWARC also serves as a guaranteed market for some of its members’ produce. The harvest of calamansi farmer-members are purchased by the co-op for its calamansi juice product line, under the brand name “Golden”. The co-op credits LANDBANK’s assistance to be instrumental in helping it grow to more than 3,500 members today—of whom around 80% are farmers. “LANDBANK continues to finance the requirements of agricultural cooperatives to help increase the production and income of their members. Amid the prevailing challenges of the pandemic, access to agri credit is key to sustain the operations of our partner-cooperatives and ensure food security in the country,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Of the P20 million LANDBANK loan, PWARC allotted P3.35 million to offer relending services for their ARB-members’ palay and corn production under the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP), a joint program implemented by LANDBANK, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). Through the APCP, PWARC ARB-members can avail of production loans with an interest rate of as low as 2% per annum. "Malaki ang naitulong sa akin at sa aking pamilya ng loan ko mula sa PWARC. Nagamit ko ito para sa aking pag-aalaga ng baboy, pambili ng seeds at pataba para sa aking mga pananim na gulay, at pati na rin sa pag-aaral ng aking mga anak,” said Norberto Pindo, a farmer-member of PWARC. LANDBANK remains steadfast in fulfilling its commitment of delivering intensified support to the agriculture sector. As of December 31, 2021, LANDBANK loans to the agri sector has reached P247.85 billion, recording a monthly increase of P12.78 billion from the P235.07 billion level last November 2021.
READ MOREMore than 3.2 million farmers and fishers nationwide have received assistance from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) through loans, subsidies, and training programs—7% more than the state Bank’s three-year commitment to assist three million by end-December 2021. “Assisting over 3.2 million farmers and fishers underscores LANDBANK’s intensified support to the agriculture sector. We will continue to promote recovery and renewed growth for agri players and other development industries, as part of our expanded and holistic approach in serving the nation,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Of the total farmers and fishers assisted, 2.32 million or 72% were supported through LANDBANK’s regular loan programs, including lending programs administered for the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). As of 31 December 2021, LANDBANK has released a total of P11.95 billion for the benefit of 296,636 farmers and fishers under the programs administered for the DA. These include the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF), Socialized Credit Program under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SCP-SIDA), Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF), Survival and Recovery Assistance (SURE Aid) Lending Program, and Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project (SURE Aid COVID-19). In partnership with the DAR, LANDBANK has released P679.92 million to support 10,170 small farmers, particularly agrarian reform beneficiaries and small farm holders, under the Credit Assistance Program for Program Beneficiaries Development (CAP-PBD) and Expanded Assistance to Restore and Install Sustainable Enterprises for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Small Farm Holders (E-ARISE-ARBs). The Bank also assisted a combined 796,311 beneficiaries under the DA’s Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA) and Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) Programs, of which 62,020 also availed of the SURE Aid Program. The remaining 187,690 farmers and fishers received capacity building trainings through the LANDBANK Countryside Development Foundation, Inc. (LCDFI). Agricultural loans LANDBANK’s outstanding loans to the agriculture sector reached P247.85 billion as of 31 December 2021, or 4.31% higher from the P237.62 billion tally by end-2020. Of this number, P38.83 billion directly benefitted small farmers and fishers, including those which were channeled through cooperatives and farmers’ associations, rural financial institutions and other conduits. A total of P155.66 billion supported small, medium, and large agribusiness enterprises, while the remaining P53.36 billion aided agri-aqua related projects of local government units (LGUs) and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs). In terms of economic activities, P60.4 billion of LANDBANK’s total agri loans financed crops, livestock, and fisheries, while P88.25 billion was channeled for agri-processing and trading. The remaining P99.19 billion backed the construction and improvement of essential infrastructure such as public markets, farm-to-market roads, warehouses, cold storages, irrigation systems, and slaughterhouses. LANDBANK continues to support the agriculture sector as part of its social mandate of promoting countryside development, alongside servicing the financial needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), countryside financial institutions (CFIs), local government units (LGUs), and government institutions.
READ MOREMore Filipinos can simultaneously grow their money and contribute to various socio-economic development initiatives in the country through the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) Retail Treasury Bonds Tranche 27 due 2027 or RTB-27 issuance, which are available via the online investment channels of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK). Launched on February 15 with the theme, “Mula sa Puso, Para sa Pinas,” the BTr’s five-year RTB-27 issuance is a low-risk investment instrument with a coupon rate of 4.875% per annum. The offer period is until February 28 with settlement scheduled on March 4. “The RTB-27 offering is a timely opportunity for retail investors to expand their portfolio while directly contributing to the government’s recovery, resiliency and emergency programs. Investing in RTB-27 has been made more accessible and convenient through LANDBANK’s digital platforms for Filipinos worldwide,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Interested investors can purchase RTB-27 bonds for a minimum investment of P5,000 via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App in as fast as five minutes or less. This feature is also available in the Mobile Banking App of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank), the official digital bank of the Philippine government and a subsidiary of LANDBANK. Investors of RTB-27 can also make online placements through the BTr Online Ordering Facility and settle the payments via the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal online payment platform. Over-the-counter placements are also accepted in all LANDBANK branches nationwide. In addition to purchasing new bonds, the BTr also allows holders of previously issued bonds, namely FXTN 20-02 and FXTN 03-24, to exchange and reinvest their bond holdings for RTB-27. Last November 2021, LANDBANK generated a total of P48.4 billion in sales for the previous Retail Treasury Bonds Tranche 26 or RTB-26 issuance. LANDBANK serves as the Joint Lead Issue Manager for the RTB-27 issuance, as part of its continued support to advancing greater financial inclusion and boosting public resources to fund various recovery and development programs.
READ MOREThe merger between state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) takes effect on 01 March 2022, envisioned to provide a more robust support to the country’s agriculture sector for inclusive rural development. Both LANDBANK and UCPB customers will have access to a combined network of 677 branches and branch-lite units, 2,800 automated teller machines (ATMs), and 228 cash deposit machines (CDMs) nationwide as of February 23, as well as benefit from a wider range of innovative products and services. As the surviving entity, LANDBANK’s total assets will increase to P2.9 trillion, further solidifying its ranking as the second-largest bank in the country in terms of assets. More importantly, the increased financial muscle will significantly grow the Bank’s loan portfolio directed at servicing the whole agriculture sector alongside key development industries. “LANDBANK’s union with UCPB advances the government’s development agenda to support the agriculture sector through a stronger, more resilient and unified banking institution. The merger places us in a better position to reach and service more farmers, fishers and other players in the agribusiness value chain nationwide,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Customers are assured that the services of both LANDBANK and UCPB will continue to be unhampered, with deposits remaining intact and secured in their respective servicing branches. All UCPB branches will continue to operate and serve UCPB customers until the systems integration and accounts migration to LANDBANK are completed. The majority of UCPB branches will be converted as LANDBANK branches and will be announced regularly to the public. Existing service fees will still apply for cash withdrawals of UCPB cardholders at LANDBANK ATMs until all accounts are converted or migrated to LANDBANK that comes with new ATM cards. The merger between LANDBANK and UCPB is pursuant to Executive Order No. 142 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on 25 June 2021, which approved the merger to form a better capitalized and more resilient institution that will play a principal role in the National Government’s development and financial inclusion agenda.
READ MOREThe Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) announced that the combined value facilitated by its six major electronic channels reached P2.45 trillion in 2021—a 46% hike from the previous year—while volume of transactions grew by 19% to 136.3 million. LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo credited this growth to the expanding adoption of the Bank’s digital services and marks another milestone in LANDBANK’s ongoing digital transformation. “LANDBANK is leveraging on the latest technological solutions to deliver a digital banking experience designed for the new normal. We will continue to bank on digital infrastructures as we push for greater digital adoption and advance financial inclusion in the country,” said President Borromeo. The LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) recorded 103.8 million transactions worth P172.39 billion last year, representing upsurges of 44% and 103%, respectively, from the previous year. The Bank’s e-payment facility, Link.BizPortal, facilitated around 3.88 million transactions equivalent to an 83% increase, corresponding to a total value of P10.45 billion or a 31% growth rate. The LANDBANK weAccess—the Bank’s institutional internet banking platform—recorded 20.9 million transactions worth nearly P489 million for increases of 29% and 24%, respectively. The Bank also logged a 30% jump in value via its iAccess internet retail banking channel, reaching P15.40 billion compared to P11.87 billion in 2020. The LANDBANK Bulk Credit System (LBCS) also posted unprecedented annual growths of 105% and 1181% for volume and value, respectively. Lastly, the LANDBANK Electronic Modified Disbursement System (eMDS) for national government agency partners posted increases of 20.9 million or 29% more transactions, and a total P488.98 billion or 24% rise in value. With the continuous increase in the use of e-banking channels, the state-run Bank assures its customers that it maintains the highest level of security in all its systems while reminding customers to remain vigilant against online banking fraud and scams.
READ MOREGet shipping discounts with Mastercard®! P80 off, min spend P1,000, 2x use I. Qualifications ● The promo is exclusive to Mastercard® Credit, Debit, and Prepaid cards issued in the Philippines. II. How to Avail 1. Using the Shopee mobile app, claim your shipping discount voucher from Mastercard on the promo landing page from Feb 24 - Mar 4, 2022. Voucher will be added to your “My Vouchers” tab. 2. Select the items you wish to purchase. 3. Click on “Shopee Voucher” and select the shipping discount voucher from Mastercard. 4. Select “Credit/Debit card” as payment option and pay with your participating Mastercard Credit, Debit or Prepaid card. 5. Proceed to checkout by clicking the “Place Order” button. III. Terms and Conditions 1. Qualified Mastercard cardholders are entitled to avail of 100% off shipping fee capped at P80 with a minimum spend of P1,000. 2. Promo voucher is valid for eligible Shopee users during the promo duration. 3. Promo voucher can be claimed on the Mastercard 3.3 promo landing page from Feb 24 - Mar 4, 2022. 4. Promo voucher redemption is valid for two-time use between Feb 28 - Mar 4, 2022 only. 5. Applicable on Mastercard credit, debit, and prepaid card transactions only. 6. Promo voucher cannot be reapplied after a qualified order has been cancelled by the cardholder. 7. Promo voucher is valid for new and existing Shopee registered customers. 8. Promo voucher cannot be applied retroactively. 9. The offer cannot be exchanged for cash or other products. 10. Promo voucher is only valid on Preferred and Shopee Mall stores excluding products under the “Load, Bills, and eServices” category. 11. Promo voucher is valid on orders to be delivered via Shopee integrated couriers. 12. By joining this promo, the user confirms that he/she has read, understood, and agreed to the promo mechanics and its terms & conditions. 13. Shopee reserves the right to cancel transactions of accounts that are suspected to be invalid or fraudulent (i.e. abuse of system). 14. Shopee reserves the right to vary these terms & conditions with prior approval of DTI-FTEB. IV. Customer Support ● For any questions or clarifications, please contact Shopee’s Customer Service at (02) 88805200 or email support@shopee.ph. DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-137311 Series of 2022
READ MOREThe Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has recorded a total of 2.12 million accounts opened online through its award-winning Digital Onboarding System (DOBS) as of end-December 2021, driven by the continued rise in demand for safer digital banking services. “This new DOBS milestone underscores LANDBANK’s steadfast commitment to deliver accessible and innovative digital solutions as we respond to the changing times. This is also a testament to the Bank’s dedication to balance service delivery while ensuring the health and safety of our customers,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Since its launch in November 2018, the LANDBANK DOBS has helped simplify the account enrolment process and reduced the account opening time of customers from 45 minutes to just 10-15 minutes. LANDBANK also launched last year the DOBS Mobile as a feature of its Mobile Banking App (MBA), which allows customers to open a LANDBANK savings account using their mobile phone without the need to go to a LANDBANK branch. Accounts opened through DOBS are automatically enrolled in LANDBANK’s array of e-banking channels, such as the LANDBANK iAccess and Mobile Banking App that facilitate simple digital banking transactions. LANDBANK account holders can also update their information as well as open a payroll account through the DOBS. The LANDBANK DOBS was cited as a pioneering web application among universal banks in the Philippines. It was awarded with a Merit Award for Technology Development by the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) Development Awards. The DOBS is accessible through LANDBANK’s official website (www.landbank.com) or through the Digital Corner of selected LANDBANK branches dedicated for walk-in clients, while the DOBS Mobile can be accessed through the LANDBANK MBA.
READ MORELand Bank of the Philippines was awarded with Outstanding Development Project Awards in 2021, under the Category 7-Local Economic Development by the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific for the Bank's RISE UP & I-RESCUE Lending Programs.
READ MOREThe Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has approved loans totaling P30.96 billion as of end-January 2022 to help cooperatives and local businesses recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the I-RESCUE (Interim REhabilitation Support to Cushion Unfavorably affected Enterprises by COVID-19) Lending Program, LANDBANK has supported a total of 687 borrowers, composed of 462 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), 115 cooperatives, 105 large enterprises, and five (5) microfinance institutions (MFIs). “LANDBANK recognizes the crucial role of local businesses to ramp-up the country’s ongoing economic recovery. We will continue to provide timely and accessible credit assistance to serve their financial requirements amid the pandemic and beyond,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Launched in April 2020 at the height of quarantine restrictions to stem the rising COVID-19 infections, the I-RESCUE Lending Program aims to provide credit and loan restructuring assistance to businesses adversely affected by the pandemic, under more flexible terms and conditions. Under the Program, eligible borrowers may loan up to 85% of their emergency or permanent working capital requirements, with an affordable interest rate of 5% per annum for three (3) years, subject to annual re-pricing thereafter, and payable up to 10 years with a maximum of two (2) years grace period on the principal repayment. The Program also offers a sub-credit facility for MSMEs and cooperatives, as well as self-employed individuals duly registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), classified to be critically affected by the pandemic. The LANDBANK I-RESCUE Lending Program is available until December 31, 2022. Interested borrowers may contact the nearest LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch nationwide or call LANDBANK’s customer service hotline at (02) 8-405-7000 or at PLDT Domestic Toll Free 1-800-10-405-7000.
READ MOREShop at Lazada using your Visa card and enjoy Php 100 OFF I. Qualifications • The Promo is valid on regular and sale items at Lazada. • Purchase must be made on select dates from January 1, 2022 12:00 am to March 31, 2022 11:59 pm Philippine time, except on March 27. • Discount applies with a minimum spend of P2,500, charged to Visa Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card. Discount is capped at P100. • Discount can be availed through a voucher code to be applied on purchases in Lazada and is open to new and existing Lazada customers. Customers should use the voucher code VISA100OFF to avail the discount. • Discount will apply when the voucher is entered at the Payment Page and the eligible Visa Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card is selected as the payment option. Customer must check if voucher is applied before proceeding to final check-out. • Discount is not applicable to digital goods, stores with digital goods product/s, milk products for 3 years old below (under the Milk Code) and other goods from blacklisted sellers set by Lazada. II. How to Avail 1. Open the Lazada website (www.lazada.com.ph) or download the Lazada app for free via App Store for Apple users or Google Play store for Android users. 2. Select the item/s you wish to purchase then click “Add to Cart”. Prepare your card details for the transaction 3. Click the Shopping Cart icon on the right, topmost portion of the screen to view all the items on your Shopping Cart. 4. Select the item/s you wish to purchase and once you have reviewed the items on your Shopping Cart, click “Check Out” 5. Input the voucher code on the checkout page to apply the discount. Enter your shipping and billing information and select the credit card as payment 6. Enter your Visa Credit/Debit/Prepaid Card details and make sure to check if the discount was applied to total billing before proceeding to place the order. 7. Click “Place Order” to complete the transaction. III. Terms and Conditions 1. Discount can be used only once throughout the valid promo period. 2. Discount is applicable to all Visa Credit/Debit/Prepaid Cardholders. Maximum discount is P100. 3. Discount is applied automatically at the checkout only when the voucher has been successfully applied on the order. 4. Discount is not exchangeable for cash, credit or other goods and services. 5. Discount amount cannot be applied retroactively. 6. Discount is not applicable to items marked “Voucher code not applicable on this item”. 7. Applicable only to eligible Visa card BINs and eligible items. 8. All cancelled orders will not be valid for re-instatement of voucher codes. 9. Payment codes cannot be used with other collectible or static code discount vouchers. 10. The use of the voucher is subject to the Lazada Voucher Terms and Conditions. IV. Customer Support For questions or clarifications, please contact Lazada Customer Care by clicking the chat button at http://www.lazada.com.ph/contact.
READ MOREAs of Fri, April 25, 2025
| Buying | Selling | |
|---|---|---|
| USD | 56.25 | 56.75 |
| JPY | 0.388752 | 0.403776 |
| EUR | 63.163815 | 65.607824 |
| GBP | 73.988728 | 76.851588 |
| HKD | 7.223177 | 7.761414 |
As of Thu, April 24, 2025
| UITF | NAVPU |
|---|---|
| Cash Management Fund | 1.557366 |
| Money Market Fund | 1.310646 |
| PERA Money Market Fund | 1.023632 |
| Medium-Term Bond Fund | 2.470334 |
| Bond Fund | 2.024273 |
| PERA Bond Fund | 1.198883 |
| Balanced Fund | 2.585336 |
| Growth Fund | 2.562157 |
| Alpha Equity Fund | 2.96484 |
| Blue Chip Equity Fund | 0.954534 |
| Equity Fund | 0.773163 |
| High Dividend Equity Fund | 1.002938 |
| US$ Money Market Fund | 1.431822 |
| Global $ Fund | 1.518293 |
| Money Market Plus Fund | 1.223015 |
