The Land Bank of the Philippines through its foundation conducted trainings on financial literacy and natural farming in Lake Sebu in line with the bank’s commitment to advance financial inclusion while extending support to the agriculture sector.
In partnership with the Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) and the local government of Lake Sebu, the trainings were designed to enhance the technical capacity and livelihood skills of farmers, fishers, small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), and employees of the local government unit (LGU) in the area.
“Apart from offering accessible credit, LANDBANK also provides innovative capacity- building interventions to our partners. We are promoting financial inclusion to advance economic opportunities and help spur sustainable development in local communities,” said LandBank president Cecila Cayosa Borromeo.
Among the farmer organizations who participated in the one-day training workshop include the Lake Sebu Vegetable Association (LAS VEGAS), Lake Sebu Indigenous Women and Farmers Association (LASIWFA), and the MNLF Luhib Lake Sebu Coconut Farmers Organization (MLLSCFO).
Since July 2022, LandBank Countryside Development Foundation, Inc. (LCDFI) has conducted 32 training sessions that benefitted a total of 6,000 farmers, fishers, and farm laborers from all the barangays of Lake Sebu.
They form part of the total 300,300 training participants that LCDFI has supported nationwide from July 2020 until December 2022, located in 196 unbanked municipalities in 53 provinces.
The LCDFI is a non-stock, non-profit corporate foundation of LANDBANK, and serves as its training arm to strengthen cooperatives and assist farmers and fishers in their development.