LANDBANK assists Maguindanao coastal town to build market linkages

DATU BLAH T. SINSUAT, Maguindanao – The Municipal Government of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat (DBS) has partnered with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) for the construction of access roads that will aid in the convenient and timely transport of goods to and from the town.

The second class municipality inked a P90-million loan agreement with LANDBANK on 9 February 2022 to purchase various heavy equipment, meant to enhance the town’s delivery of general basic services and fast-track the implementation of strategic farm-to-market road projects.

“LANDBANK fully supports initiatives that promote the growth and development of local agricultural producers. We are one with local government partners in providing more convenient access to local markets and other government services, in line with building stronger and more resilient local economies,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

The P90-million LANDBANK loan will finance the construction of additional road networks in the municipality, designed to reduce the transportation costs of farmers and fishers for the

The road projects will allow fishers from the remote coastal barangays to supply fish to Cotabato City, Maguindanao Province, several bordering towns in Lanao del Norte, as well as the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. To date, five (5) out of the 13 barangays of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat have no established roads and are accessible only by boat.

The additional roads will benefit a total of 4,946 farmers; 2,701 fishers; and 389 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) residing in the area.

“With LANDBANK’s assurance of financial and technical support to our priority projects for small farmers and fishers, we are optimistic that the Datu Blah T. Sinsuat Municipality will reach its goal of becoming the fishing capital of Central Mindanao in the future,” said Datu Blah T. Sinsuat Mayor Marshall I. Sinsuat.

The Municipality also anticipates that the new roads will encourage the influx of investors and potential tourists to stimulate more economic activity, significantly improving the locality’s trading system and tourism industry, and creating more job opportunities.

LANDBANK continues to extend necessary credit assistance to local government units (LGUs) to spur recovery and inclusive economic development in the countryside. As of end-January 2022, LANDBANK has extended P69.51 billion in outstanding loans to LGUs nationwide.