Banko and Jollibee Group Foundation Expand Financing Support for Filipino Onion Farmers

BPI Direct BanKo and Jollibee Group Foundation are strengthening their partnership to provide accessible financing for Filipino onion farmers, combining financial support with stable market opportunities to help farming communities grow and become more resilient.

The collaboration is implemented under the Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which aims to improve the productivity and income of smallholder farmers while creating long-term growth opportunities for local agricultural communities.

Through BanKo’s Farmer Financing Program, eligible farmers can access loans tailored to the needs of smallholder agriculture, allowing them to purchase seeds, fertilizers, farm equipment, and other essential inputs, as well as support land preparation and harvesting activities.

Financing Designed Around Farmers’ Needs

The Farmer Financing Program is specifically designed for onion farmers supplying the Jollibee Group. It offers competitive interest rates, accessible requirements, and loan terms aligned with crop production cycles, enabling farmers to harvest and sell their produce before their loans mature.

BanKo also ensures efficient loan processing and timely fund disbursement so farmers receive financing in time for planting seasons.

Under the program, borrowers must be Filipino farmers aged 23 to 67 upon loan maturity, own a mobile phone, have no adverse credit bureau record, and belong to a cooperative or association that has supplied the Jollibee Group for at least two consecutive years.

More Than ₱24 Million Released to Farmers

To date, the partnership has already supported more than 200 farmers, with aggregate loan releases reaching ₱24.8 million across key agricultural areas, including San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; and Candon, Ilocos Sur.

“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., President of BanKo.

He added that helping farmers gain timely access to capital not only improves productivity and livelihoods but also contributes to a more resilient agricultural sector and stronger local food security.

Supporting More Inclusive Agricultural Growth

The initiative addresses one of the persistent challenges facing many Filipino farmers: limited access to formal financing.

Without affordable credit, many smallholder farmers struggle to invest in quality inputs and modern farming technologies and often rely on informal lenders with high interest rates. By providing affordable and timely financing, BanKo and Jollibee Group Foundation 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,” said Gisela Tiongson, President of Jollibee Group Foundation.

She noted that working with BanKo helps farmers gain access to financing that enables them to invest in their farms, improve their livelihoods, and participate in a stronger and more inclusive agricultural value chain.

Building Resilient Farming Communities

Looking ahead, BanKo and Jollibee Group Foundation plan to scale the initiative by onboarding more farmers across additional provinces and expanding financing programs to support other high-value crops, including bell peppers.

The partnership demonstrates how financial inclusion and market access can work together to create opportunities for Filipino farmers. By helping smallholder producers secure affordable financing while connecting them to reliable buyers, the initiative contributes to stronger local food systems and more resilient farming communities.