LANDBANK Reinforces Pangasinan's Agri-Economy with Holistic Support Programs
LANDBANK, the state-owned financial institution, is actively reinforcing the farm-to-market ecosystem in Pangasinan through a comprehensive strategy that integrates agricultural lending, support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and innovative digital payment solutions. This initiative aims to drive inclusive regional growth by empowering local farmers, fishers, and entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to sustainably expand their operations and connect to broader markets.
Launch of Key Initiatives to Engage Local Stakeholders
In late March 2026, LANDBANK rolled out a series of targeted programs designed to bolster economic activity in the region. The MSME Fair and Cash-Lite Campus initiative was launched on March 25, followed by the Agrisenso Plus Caravan on March 26. These events collectively engaged approximately 1,000 farmers and fishers, 300 MSMEs, and 400 students and campus partners, focusing on enhancing productivity, improving market access, and accelerating digital adoption across the province.
Pangasinan, known for its vibrant agricultural sectors including bangus farms in Dagupan and salt fields in Bolinao, stands as a key agri-based economy in northern Luzon. Through accessible financing, business development support, and digital banking solutions, LANDBANK is committed to helping these communities grow their livelihoods and integrate into wider economic networks.
Strengthening the Agricultural Value Chain with Specialized Lending
Central to LANDBANK's efforts is the Agrisenso Plus Program, which offers a specialized lending window for farmers, fishers, and agri-entrepreneurs. This program provides loans at a low fixed interest rate of three percent per annum, with flexible terms that cover the entire agricultural value chain. During the recent caravan, the program approved over P14 million in loans, supporting 124 farmer attendees and demonstrating its immediate impact on local agriculture.
Complementing this financial support is the Landbank Ascend Program, a capacity-building initiative that delivers holistic development assistance. Ascend equips participants with digital financial education, sustainable agriculture practices, and enterprise development guidance, enabling small-scale producers to transition into competitive, climate-resilient agri-businesses.
Rod Navarro, a Pangasinan farmer, expressed his appreciation for the program's comprehensive approach. "Ang maganda sa Agrisenso Plus ng Landbank ay hindi lang ito basta pautang na may mababang interes. Tinuturuan din ang mga magsasaka ng mga makabagong teknik upang lumaki ang aming ani, bukod pa sa libreng insurance na talagang napakalaking ginhawa para sa amin," he said. "Malaki ang pasalamat namin sa Landbank dahil sa panahon ng krisis, ang Agrisenso Plus ang nagbigay sa amin ng pag-asa upang maitaguyod ang aming mga pamilya."
Empowering MSMEs with Financing and Digital Tools
Local enterprises also benefited from LANDBANK's initiatives through the MSME Fair, which was anchored on the Lifting MSMEs Lending Program. This program supports working capital requirements, equipment acquisition, and business expansion, helping MSMEs scale their operations effectively. These offerings are further enhanced by the Sulong MSME Solution Suite, which integrates deposit and digital banking services to streamline day-to-day business operations.
Donato and Lorena Dulay, longtime LANDBANK clients, shared their success story. "Malaking tulong sa amin ito, dahil sa pagtatanim at pagbebenta ng mga gulay namin kinukuha ang pampa-aral sa mga anak namin. Mula sa pagtatanim hanggang sa pagbebenta ng aming mga pananim, katulong namin ang Landbank. Kaya malaki ang pasalamat namin sa patuloy nilang pagtitiwala," they said. The couple initially borrowed to support their farming operations and have since transitioned to the Lifting MSMEs Lending Program to finance the retail side of their business.
Eligible sole proprietors can also open accounts via the Landbank Mobile Banking App (MBA) and receive free life and accident insurance upon loan availment, promoting financial security and digital inclusion among small business owners.
Accelerating Digital Adoption in Educational Institutions
Further expanding its digital reach, LANDBANK recently rolled out the Cash-Lite Campus Program at the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), benefiting around 800 students and partners. This initiative enables secure cashless payments for tuition, school fees, and other transactions, fostering safer, more efficient, and digitally-enabled learning environments. Nationwide, the Cash-Lite Campus Program has already reached more than 15,000 students and personnel.
Gabriel Matthew Navarro, a PPC student, highlighted the convenience of the program. "As students, we are very busy with schoolwork and activities, which is why the Landbank Cash-Lite Campus ecosystem helps me a lot in managing my academic expenses. With the Landbank MBA on my phone, I can transact whenever and wherever—even from the comfort of my home," he said.
LANDBANK's Broader Commitment to National Development
These initiatives in Pangasinan build on LANDBANK's recent rollouts across Northern Luzon, including similar engagements in Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya a week earlier. Together, they underscore the bank's continuing commitment to advancing agricultural growth, MSME development, and digital innovation nationwide.
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz emphasized the importance of these efforts. "Pangasinan remains a vital engine of northern Luzon's economy. Through our continued efforts to simplify access to credit and digital tools, LANDBANK is dedicated to helping farmers and entrepreneurs scale their operations and transform agricultural value into sustainable growth," she said.
