The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), in collaboration with national government agencies and private sector stakeholders, officially launched its Agrisenso Plus Lending Program and ASCEND initiative in Camarines Sur on April 29, 2026, marking the first of such rollouts in the Bicol Region and a major stride toward widening agricultural financing access across the country.
The launch event was held at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex in Cadlan, Pili, and drew more than 1,200 farmers and fisherfolk from across the province. The program was led by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, alongside Executive Vice Presidents Charlotte I. Conde and Marilou L. Villafranca.
The event was graced by CamSur Governor Luis Raymund “Lray” F. Villafuerte Jr., Vice Governor Salvio Patrick F. Fortuno Jr., and Pili Mayor Marivic B. Solano in attendance, alongside representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), National Food Authority (NFA), and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
An upgrade of LANDBANK's existing initiative, the Agrisenso Plus Program provides expanded eligibility, lower interest rates, and a streamlined loan process to improve credit access across the agriculture value chain.
Launched in 2024, the program has allocated ₱12 billion in lending capital, with ₱3.6 billion already disbursed to thousands of farmers nationwide. CamSur is the 13th province to benefit from the rollout. To date, LANDBANK has extended loans to approximately 208 farmers and fisherfolk in CamSur, totaling nearly ₱15 million in financial assistance.
As the Bicol Region's largest province, CamSur is a key driver of regional food production, with 29 of its 35 municipalities and two cities dependent on farming. Through Agrisenso Plus, LANDBANK aims to boost agricultural productivity across the region.
The event also featured sessions on financial literacy, the Agrisenso Plus Program, and digital banking, covering account management, program concepts, and anti-fraud tips to help attendees make informed financial decisions.
“Sa pagdating at paglunsad ng Agrisenso Plus, mas pinapalakas natin ang laban para sa mga magsasaka. Ang ibig sabihin po nito: lehitimong financing, affordable, timely, and responsive [program] para sa ating mga farmers at fisher folks,” said Governor Villafuerte during his message.
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz highlighted the program's growing reach and the bank's steadfast commitment to the agricultural sector.
“Every time we go for Agrisenso launches, there are at least 1,000 to 1,200 farmers who attend. We’re really happy that we’ve managed to gain traction, and that more of our farmers and fishers are availing of our program and really staying away from the loan sharks that actually charge them 3% at least per month — and we are charging 3% per annum.”
Acknowledging the economic pressures facing the sector, Ortiz reaffirmed LANDBANK's resolve to keep the program affordable.
“Alam ko po na mahirap po ngayon ang buhay. Our diesel cost is very high, our cost of fertilizers could be high, water, lahat po ‘yan. [Ang] interest rates po, umakyat na [rin]. Pero dito po sa amin sa LANDBANK, ang Agrisenso po — maski na umakyat na po lahat ng interest rates — we are keeping it po at 3% para po matulungan po kayong lahat.”
She further encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of LANDBANK's financial inclusion mandate. “Ang LANDBANK po ay bangko ninyo. One of the mandates of LANDBANK po is financial inclusion. We want you to be part of the banking system, part of the system para hindi na po kayo uutang doon sa masyadong mataas na interest rates.”
Lisa Samillano of Bula, a member of Tagumpayan Farmers Association Incorporated, has been approved for a ₱100,000 loan from the program. She shared, “Idadagdag ko po [ito] sa puhunan. Mag-a-additional po ako sa babuyan, sa mga inahin. Tapos ‘yung iba naman, ilalagay ko sa krudo.”
Samillano is confident in paying because of her various sources of income, such as a rice mill, pig farm, and farming.
Following the successful CamSur launch, LANDBANK is set to bring the Agrisenso Plus Program to Tarlac as its 14th rollout area, continuing its nationwide campaign to deliver inclusive financial services to the agricultural sector.
