IN LINE with its commitment of bringing convenient and reliable banking services closer to more Filipinos, the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) has ramped up expansion efforts in Guimaras Island with the installation of two new automated teller machines (ATMs) in the far-flung towns of Sibunag and San Lorenzo.
The new Landbank touch points are strategically located at the Sibunag Municipal Hall in Barangay Dasaland San Lorenzo Municipal Compound in Barangay Cabanoto to primarily service residents from 25 combined villages, which include farmers, fishers, local government employees, teachers, and other depositors.
Over 7,600 beneficiaries of the Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will also benefit from faster and more efficient payout services through the new ATMs.
"Our continued expansion in remote and underserved areas advances our continuing thrust towards financial inclusion. Landbank will remain focused on reaching and serving all our customers nationwide, as we firm up our support in pushing the National Government's inclusive development agenda," said Landbank president and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz.
Jenefer Salmorin, a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary from Sibunag, said the availability of a Landbank ATM in their town makes claiming of financial assistance from the National Government more convenient and accessible.
This helps DSWD beneficiaries like her, along with other residents, to save time and money from traveling at least 25 minutes to the Municipality of Jordan and spending P50 for a special ride just to withdraw their financial assistance.
For Sibunag Mayor Annabelle V. Samaniego, the installation of the new Landbank ATM in the town also provides improved access to formal financial services and promotes financial literacy among residents.
"This has lessened our consumed time, money, and effort just to withdraw cash we needed. On behalf of the people of the Municipality of Sibunag, I am expressing my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to Landbank as our genuine partner for the development of the municipality," said Samaniego.
Landbank is the only bank present in all five municipalities of the Province of Guimaras, servicing the banking requirements of residents through the Guimaras Branch in Barangay San Miguel in Jordan, with 10 ATMs, one cash deposit machine (CDM), and seven Agent Banking Partners (ABPs) located throughout the province.
In support of the province's digitalization efforts, the bank has also successfully onboarded the Provincial Government and all municipal governments in its Link.BizPortal facility, which allows residents to pay for local dues online without the need to physically visit the LGU offices.
As of end April 2023, Landbank has 606 branches and branch-lite units, 58 lending centers, 2,920 ATMs, 224 CDMs, and 1,743 ABPPOS cash-out terminals, which are spread strategically across all 82 provinces of the country. (PR)