THE Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) gathered small-scale farmers and fishermen, agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their organizations to discuss the National Government’s development plan towards building sustainable and resilient agrarian reform communities.
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD) Director Ronald M. Gareza and LandBank Program Management Department I Head, Assistant Vice President Edgardo S. Luzano led the discussions during the fourth run of the LandBank AgriSenso Virtual Forum last October 24.
They were joined by agriculture partners and loan availers, namely Mauanan Baluncanag Gaddangao Farmers Irrigators Credit Cooperative Treasurer Sharon B. Eugenio, Southern Isabela ARB Charibel Francesca and Batangas Egg Producers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Director Cecille A. Virtucio, who shared how LandBank and DAR have assisted to enhance their productivity and income.
Gareza discussed the various interventions that DAR has been carrying out to help address the challenges facing ARBs in land tenure and disputes. He also underscored the importance of support services, including capacity development and credit and marketing assistance, to support and ease the burden of ARBs.
Meanwhile, AVP Luzano, together with Program Officers Glecy Angeles and Crisso Pernito, presented the features of the various credit programs being offered by LandBank for ARBs and their organizations.
Accessible financing
LandBank said in a statement it released that the lender and the DAR “have been working closely to extend affordable financing and support services for ARBs and their organizations.”
LandBank said it provides direct credit assistance to individual ARBs who are not yet members of agrarian reform beneficiary organizations, or “ARBOs.” The loans can be used for the production of rice, corn and high-value crops and acquisition of small farm implements, such as hand tractors and power tillers.
The bank said it has released a total of P506.1 million to 2,200 borrowers under the program as of September 30.
LandBank said another lending program is designed for ARBOs that are not yet qualified to borrow under the regular lending window of the Bank.
The program provides credit assistance and support services to ARBs through their respective organizations for crop production, agri-enterprise or livelihood and other agri-related projects.
Another lending program is designed to assist ARBOs whose members were adversely affected by natural calamities or disasters, pests and diseases and other viral infections or outbreaks.
LandBank said that as of September, combined releases under these two latter programs have reached P736.4 million, benefitting 219 ARBOs with more than 11,000 ARBs and small farm holder-members nationwide.
A fourth lending program allows qualified ARBOs to avail of credit assistance to purchase orders or contract receivables from government agencies for the provision of needed food items.
The program supports the government’s efforts to address hunger, poverty, food security and nutrition, through community participation in government contracts.
LandBank said total loan releases under this fourth lending program have reached P9.6 million to seven agri suppliers as of September.
Image credits: Land Bank of the Philippines