LANDBANK brings inclusive financial services closer to Mindanao

KABACAN, North Cotabato — More farmers, fishers, and local entrepreneurs in North Cotabato now have greater access to affordable financing and digital banking solutions as LANDBANK expanded its initiatives across the province.

The Agrisenso Plus Lending Program and the Uswag MSME Fair held on 04 June 2026 at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) gathered over 1,400 participants. This included around 1,200 farmers and fishers — 600 of whom are USM agri-graduates — as well as 200 micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.

These efforts underscore LANDBANK’s continuous push to create economic opportunities in Mindanao’s key food-producing and commercial provinces, in close collaboration with local and national stakeholders, led by Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza and Vice Governor Rochella Marie “Ella” Taliño Taray, and USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel.

Other partner agencies include the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“By combining accessible financing with on-ground financial education and enterprise support, LANDBANK is helping translate inclusion into real economic opportunities. These initiatives are designed to strengthen resilience, improve productivity, and enable farmers and MSMEs to participate more actively in growth,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz.

These initiatives also support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program, which aims to reinforce food security and protect vulnerable sectors amid global economic and energy pressures.

Driving growth for agriculture and MSMEs

As a key agricultural hub for rice, rubber, and high-value crops, North Cotabato requires strong support to meet production costs and cultivate expansion. In response, the Agrisenso Plus Lending Program provides small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) with loans at a fixed 3.0% annual interest rate.

The LANDBANK ASCEND Program works in parallel to build farmers’ capabilities through training in digital finance, sustainable practices, and enterprise development while offering credit support to USM agri-graduates. This helps turn academic training into viable enterprises that drive agricultural innovation.

“We appreciate LANDBANK for recognizing the importance of these programs to our agricultural communities. Partnerships with government institutions, financial institutions, and local stakeholders are necessary if we want real and lasting progress in the countryside,” said Cotabato Governor Taliño-Mendoza.

For farmer Rex S. Dimas from Carmen, Cotabato, farming has long been his family’s primary livelihood, but access to capital has always been a challenge in meeting production costs. Through the Agrisenso Plus Lending Program, he found a more sustainable financing option — freeing him from the burden of costly private and informal borrowing.

“Napakaganda nitong programa ng LANDBANK na Agrisenso Plus. Dahil noong nagsimula kami sa farming, hirap po kami sa puhunan. Nanghihiram kami sa private organization o mga kapitbahay na may 20% interest per month. Kaya kakaiba talaga ang programa ng LANDBANK,” said Dimas, who received his loan proceeds last April under the program.

At the LANDBANK Uswag MSME Fair, local entrepreneurs were introduced to the Bank’s LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program for operational and capital needs, as well as the SULONG MSME Solution Suite for streamlining payments, payroll, collections, and government contributions. Eligible sole proprietors were also able to open accounts via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) and received one year of free life and accident insurance upon loan availment.

For former OFW and Kidapawan-based entrepreneur Mabel Jonne Cunanan, owner of TitaNots Bakeshop, LANDBANK has been a key partner in helping her and her husband grow their business by providing affordable financing and favorable terms. As they plan their next phase of expansion, they look forward to tapping LANDBANK again for additional working capital.

“Natulungan kami [ng LANDBANK] na mag-boom ang business namin. And I hope na magiging partner pa namin ang LANDBANK for our expansion. Hindi lang kami ang matutulungan, but even our employees na magkakaroon ng security sa employment nila,” said Cunanan, underscoring the importance of accessible capital for MSMEs to grow.

By expanding access to funding and capability-building initiatives in growth centers like North Cotabato, LANDBANK affirms its commitment to rural development and a more inclusive and resilient Philippine economy.