KABACAN, North Cotabato — More farmers, fishers, and small business owners in North Cotabato are gaining improved access to financing and digital banking services following the expansion of initiatives led by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) in the province.

The Agrisenso Plus Lending Program and the Uswag MSME Fair held on June 4, 2026 at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) gathered more than 1,400 participants, including around 1,200 farmers and fishers and about 200 micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners. Of the total, 600 participants were USM agriculture graduates.

The programs aim to strengthen economic opportunities in Mindanao’s agricultural and business sectors through partnerships with local and national agencies, including 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), along with local officials in Cotabato and University of Southern Mindanao leadership.

LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz said the initiatives are designed to improve financial inclusion and support rural development.

“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,” Ortiz said.

The programs also support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program, which seeks to strengthen food security and support vulnerable sectors.

Under the Agrisenso Plus Lending Program, small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) may access loans with a fixed 3.0% annual interest rate.

LANDBANK’s ASCEND Program also provides training on digital finance, sustainable farming practices, and enterprise development, alongside credit support for agriculture graduates of USM.

Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza said partnerships between government agencies and financial institutions are key to rural development.

“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,” she said.

Farmers and entrepreneurs also shared how the programs helped ease financial constraints.

Rex S. Dimas, a farmer from Carmen, Cotabato, said access to affordable credit has been a major challenge in farming.

“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,” Dimas said, noting he received loan proceeds last April.

Entrepreneur Mabel Jonne Cunanan, owner of TitaNots Bakeshop in Kidapawan, said LANDBANK has supported the growth of their business through financing assistance and favorable loan terms.

“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,” Cunanan said.

LANDBANK said the initiatives are part of its broader effort to expand financial access and strengthen rural economies in key agricultural areas such as North Cotabato.