Bacolod: The Land Bank of the Philippines is bridging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and students in Negros Occidental to accessible credit and digital banking solutions through various programs launched in the province.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Padayon MSME Fair, held for three days until Sunday at Ayala Malls Capitol Central, marked the Visayas rollout of the Lifting MSMEs Lending Program. This initiative, known as the LandBank's Innovative Financing Thrust Towards Inclusive National Growth, aims to expand access to credit for working capital, equipment acquisition, and business expansion, thereby enhancing MSME productivity and competitiveness across the country.
LandBank president and chief executive officer Lynette Ortiz emphasized the critical role of MSMEs in the economy, stating that they are the backbone of communities and a powerful driver of transformative growth. When MSMEs grow, growth becomes inclusive, and more Filipino families progress.
Among the more than 500 participants of the Padayon MSME Fair was Ma. Armela Batalla, a former overseas Filipino worker from Hinigaran town. Batalla founded VCM Food Products Trading in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic prevented her from returning abroad. She transformed an abundant supply of bangus in her community into an innovative lumpiang bangus business. Batalla expressed her gratitude, seeing LandBank as a partner in the growth of her business over the next three years.
The LandBank also introduced the Sulong MSME Solution Suite, which is a bundled set of deposit and digital banking services designed to support enterprises beyond credit access and help formalize their operations.
In Sagay City, more than 2,000 students and campus partners were served during the rollout of the LandBank's Cash-Lite Campus Program at the State University of Northern Negros (SUNN) on February 19. Through secure account access and cash-lite payment solutions, the initiative aims to reduce reliance on physical cash and promote responsible financial habits by introducing practical tools for budgeting, saving, and secure digital spending.
LandBank personnel assisted students in opening PISO Plus Accounts, which can be easily set up via the LandBank Mobile Banking App, with no initial deposit and no minimum maintaining balance, making it ideal for first-time account holders. SUNN president Dr. Renante Egcas highlighted the educational benefits of the partnership, stating that students will experience firsthand how financial technology integrates into everyday life, thereby strengthening their digital literacy, financial responsibility, and adaptability.
