BPI Direct BanKo, Inc., A Savings Bank (BanKo), the microfinance arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of the Jollibee Group, continue to strengthen their partnership to support Filipino onion farmers through accessible and sustainable financing under the Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP). The collaboration aims to help improve farmers’ productivity, increase their income, and create long-term growth opportunities for local farming communities.

Under BanKo’s Farmer Financing Program, eligible borrowers must be Filipino farmers aged 23 to 67 upon loan maturity, own a mobile phone, and have no adverse credit bureau record. Applicants must also be members of a cooperative or association that has served as a supplier of Jollibee Group for at least two consecutive years.

Farmers supported by JGF’s FEP can access financing solutions tailored to the unique needs of smallholder farmers, enabling them to purchase seeds, fertilizers, equipment, and other essential farm inputs, as well as support land preparation and harvesting activities. By combining market access opportunities with timely financial support, the partnership helps farmers expand production, meet quality standards, improve yields, and access stable markets such as the Jollibee Group.

“Through this initiative with Jollibee Group Foundation, we continue to strengthen our commitment to supporting Filipino farmers by providing accessible and sustainable financing solutions tailored to their needs,” said Rod Mabiasen, Jr., BanKo President.

To date, the collaboration has already supported over 200 farmers, with aggregate loan releases amounting to Php 24.8 million across key agricultural areas such as San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, and Candon, Ilocos Sur.

“We believe that empowering farmers with timely access to capital not only helps improve productivity and livelihoods, but also contributes to building a more resilient agricultural sector and stronger local food security. At BanKo, we remain committed to being a trusted partner of farming communities because we believe that when farmers thrive, entire communities prosper. Dahil sa BanKo, may ngiti ang bukas mo,” he added.

Designed specifically for onion farmers supplying Jollibee Group, the Farmer Financing Program offers competitive interest rates, accessible application requirements, and loan terms aligned with the crop production cycle. This allows farmers to harvest and sell produce before their loans mature, supporting healthier cash flow and more sustainable farm operations. BanKo also ensures efficient loan processing and disbursement so farmers can receive funds in time for planting seasons.

The initiative directly addresses the persistent credit gap faced by many Filipino farmers, particularly those who remain unbanked or underfinanced. Limited access to formal financing often prevents farmers from investing in quality inputs and modern farming technologies, forcing many to rely on informal lenders with high interest rates. By offering affordable and timely financing, BanKo and JGF aim to help farmers break the cycle of low productivity and strengthen their long-term financial stability.

“At Jollibee Group Foundation, we are committed to helping smallholder farmers become more productive and financially sustainable by connecting them to institutional markets and essential support services. Working with BanKo strengthens this mission by helping farmers gain access to affordable financing that enables them to invest in their farms and improve their livelihoods. Together, we hope to create more opportunities for Filipino smallholder farmers and contribute to a stronger and more inclusive agricultural value chain,” said Gisela Tiongson, President of the Jollibee Group Foundation.

Looking ahead, BanKo and JGF aim to further scale the initiative by onboarding more farmers across additional provinces and expanding credit programs to support more high-value crops, including bell peppers.

The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to uplift Filipino farmers, strengthen local food security, and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable agriculture sector.