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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/TV8 Media Productions/LANDBANK) |
BUSINESS MATTERS shares the spotlight with Filipino farmers in the opening of its new season, giving voice to their struggles and triumphs. Hosted by award-winning broadcast journalist Pinky Webb, the magazine show returns for a new season with a wider reach and stronger voice — featuring inspiring stories that reflect the heart of the Filipino. For its Season 13 pilot episode, BUSINESS MATTERS features farmers in Camarines Sur supported by LANDBANK, highlighting how its support is helping uplift Filipino farmers and strengthen the country’s agricultural sector. Their stories offer a close look at the realities of Philippine agriculture.
Lloyda Villesa and Vicente Reyes stand as powerful examples of farmers across the country. Their daily struggles are matched only by their dedication to till the land — not just to feed their families, but to sustain entire communities with staple food. At 51, Villesa breaks the stereotype that farming is a man’s job. A former factory worker in Taiwan, she has spent three decades in agriculture, taking over farm management from her aging father-in-law. For her, farming is not just livelihood — it is a calling. Reyes, meanwhile, gave up college to help his family farm. Since 1984, he has worked the land acquired through agrarian reform, planting rice alongside coconut and banana crops. Now 68, he also drives a tricycle to supplement his income. Like many farmers, both Villesa and Reyes once relied on informal lenders, often borrowing against future harvests just to survive. This cycle of debt, compounded by unpredictable weather and recurring typhoons, has long kept farmers in a difficult position.
Through LANDBANK’s Agrisenso Plus Lending Program, they have found a path forward. “It’s a government bank, so we are here for the people. Ang mandato ng LANDBANK ay tumulong sa mga magsasaka at maging kaakibat sa pagpapaunlad ng agrikultura,” said LANDBANK Vice President Danilo D. Crobalde. Launched in May 2024, Agrisenso Plus has already released ₱3.6B (3.6 billion pesos) in support of farmers nationwide. The program provides affordable credit at just 3% per year, along with free insurance, training, and capacity-building support. It serves small farmers, fishers, agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), and other players in the agricultural value chain — helping them grow sustainable livelihoods. Camarines Sur marked the 13th regional launch of Agrisenso Plus, led by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, alongside Governor Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte Jr. and other local leaders.
To learn more about how farmers like Lloyda Villesa and Vicente Reyes are overcoming challenges, watch the pilot episode of BUSINESS MATTERS Season 13 on June 14, 2026, Sunday, at 10:30 am on GTV. Produced by TV8 Media Productions, BUSINESS MATTERS remains the country’s only television program that offers a glimpse into the business landscape through corporate social responsibility (CSR) stories.
