Mayor Fernando Estavilla III of the Municipality of President Carlos P. Garcia
The Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) launched today, January 18, the “Bilis Ipon: Digital Financial Inclusion Caravan” in the town of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (Pitogo Island), Bohol, as part of its efforts to improve financial access and literacy among Filipinos.
The caravan, which will also visit 10 other areas in the country, aims to promote Landbank’s digital banking and services, such as the Landbank Mobile Banking App, the Landbank Link.BiZPortal, and the Landbank iAccess, among others.
These services are designed to provide convenient, secure, and affordable banking transactions to Landbank clients, especially those in remote and underserved areas.
The caravan also seeks to help Bol-anons develop healthy financial habits, such as saving, budgeting, and investing, through various activities and seminars.
Landbank also launched the “LandBankasama Program” in Pitogo Island, which is a partnership program with cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that are accredited by Landbank.
The program enables these partners to act as Landbank’s agents and offer basic banking services, such as cash deposit, withdrawal, balance inquiry, fund transfer, bills payment, and e-loading, to their members and customers.
This way, Landbank can reach more people who do not have access to formal banking channels and provide them with financial inclusion and empowerment.
The launch of the caravan and the program was attended by Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and Land Bank Senior Vice President Khurshid U. Kalabud, who expressed their support and appreciation for Landbank’s initiatives.
Governor Aumentado said that the caravan and the program will benefit the people of Pitogo Island, who are mostly fishermen and farmers, by giving them access to financial services and education.
He also thanked Landbank for choosing Pitogo Island as one of the pilot areas for the program, saying that it will boost the local economy and development.
SVP Kalabud said that Landbank is committed to fulfilling its mandate as a development partner of the government and the people, especially in the countryside.
He said that Landbank will continue to innovate and expand its digital banking and services to cater to the evolving needs and preferences of its clients.
He also encouraged the people of Pitogo Island to avail of the services offered by Landbank and its partners, and to join the caravan’s activities and seminars.
The “Bilis Ipon: Digital Financial Inclusion Caravan” will run until January 31, 2024, and will visit the following areas: Pitogo Island, Bohol; San Jose, Antique; San Fernando, La Union; San Carlos, Pangasinan; San Mateo, Rizal; San Pablo, Laguna; San Jose, Nueva Ecija; San Miguel, Bulacan; San Fernando, Pampanga; and San Juan, Metro Manila.