Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chairman Ralph G. Recto today announced the successful extension of financing assistance to 1,000 farmers in Bukidnon through the enhanced Agriculture Growth and Resource Integration through Strategic and Enhanced Delivery of Support and Opportunities (AGRISENSO Plus) program. This initiative, a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods, marks a significant step towards strengthening the nation’s food security.
AGRISENSO Plus, LANDBANK’s comprehensive value chain-based financing program, is designed to provide small farmers, fishers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and agri-MSMEs with improved access to credit, vital capacity-building, and crucial market linkages. The program directly aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s national agenda to accelerate rural development and fortify the agriculture sector.
“This program by LANDBANK and President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. is a concrete and inclusive answer to your long-standing call for financial assistance,” Secretary Recto stated during the distribution of ATM cards to beneficiaries in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. “This is a compassionate program with a clear vision to make progress accessible to every farmer and fisher.”
The distribution event was led by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, alongside Bukidnon Governor Neil Roque and Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro.
LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz emphasized the collaborative spirit: “All of us are here to listen, support, and respond to your needs. As your true partners in progress, our goal is to further strengthen our agriculture sector so that we may all advance and prosper together.”
Launched in May 2024 and significantly upgraded in October of the same year, AGRISENSO Plus offers financing for a broad spectrum of agri-fishery requirements, ranging from crop and fisheries production to the acquisition of essential farm machinery, pre- and post-harvest facilities, and pond development. Beyond mere lending, the program integrates financial support with crucial skills training, market access, and the adoption of innovative agricultural practices.
A pivotal element of AGRISENSO Plus is the Agri-Fishery Support through Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development (ASCEND), which delivers customized capacity-building to ensure the sustainability and profitability of agri-business ventures. Secretary Recto underscored the importance of knowledge, stating, “Because we know, sometimes hard work isn’t enough. Even if you plant with sweat, if there’s no knowledge and strategy, the harvest will be weak.”
As of May 2025, AGRISENSO Plus has already disbursed an impressive PHP 1.16 billion in loans, benefitting 6,853 borrowers and helping finance over 21,000 hectares of farmland within just six months of its enhanced operation.
LANDBANK is committed to expanding the program’s reach, aiming to bring AGRISENSO Plus to at least 10,000 new beneficiaries by the end of the year. This aggressive target is part of the government’s broader push to modernize and uplift rural livelihoods across the Philippines.
“So, let us continue to dream, plan, and work. And you can rest assured that you have a government ready to help you fulfill these, not just for photo opportunities, but to ensure that every effort you make bears fruit,” the Finance Chief concluded. “This is President Bongbong Marcos, Jr.’s clear directive: ensure that the New Philippines is not only felt in expressways or subways. There must also be a New Philippines in the rice fields, in the farms, by the rivers.”
Under Secretary Recto’s leadership, the Department of Finance (DOF) remains dedicated to ensuring that LANDBANK functions not merely as a financial institution but as a committed partner in building a better life for all Filipinos, especially the nation’s farmers, fishers, and rural communities.
