Digital portal fast-tracks farm loans in Negros

Author: DA Press Office | 10 March 2026

BAYAWAN CITY, Negros Oriental - Farmers here are gaining faster access to government-backed financing after the rollout of a digital platform designed to speed up agricultural loan applications and approvals.

The upgraded Agri-Credit e-Portal (ACE Portal 2.0) of the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Credit Policy Council is streamlining loan processing under the Agri-Puhunan and Pantawid (APP) Program, enabling farmers to submit applications and complete requirements on-site during field onboarding activities.

At a recent orientation in Bayawan City, about 230 farmers applied for loans on the spot with assistance from Cooperative Bank of Negros Oriental, one of ACPC's partner lending conduits.

Nationwide, 3,808 farmers have already enrolled in the APP Program, reflecting growing participation in digital platforms aimed at expanding access to government financial services for the agriculture sector.

ACE Portal 2.0 accelerates the loan process by streamlining data encoding, verification and processing, cutting paperwork and eliminating lengthy procedures that often discourage farmers from seeking credit.

The system also improves coordination between farmers and partner lenders responsible for releasing funds.

During barangay-level onboarding, the platform allows farmers to register and complete loan applications immediately. It is linked to the Department of Agriculture Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture to quickly verify farmer eligibility.
The portal is also integrated with the Interventions Monitoring Card of Universal Storefront Services Corporation, which serves as a debit card where rice farmers receive their loan proceeds.

Other agencies supporting the initiative include the National Food Authority and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, along with the local government of Bayawan City.

Under the APP Program, rice farmers cultivating 0.7 to 7 hectares may borrow up to P60,000 per hectare as working capital. The loans come with free crop insurance and government-backed purchase of harvests.

ACPC Executive Director Rallen Verdadero said bringing the program directly to farming communities helps expand access to financing.

"This onboarding is a great opportunity because government agencies are reaching out directly to communities to bring programs and services to our farmers," Verdadero said.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program reflects a broader push to modernize agriculture and make government support more accessible to farmers.

"Programs like APP, supported by digital tools such as ACE Portal 2.0, are part of our efforts to modernize Philippine agriculture by making financial services faster, simpler and closer to our farmers," Tiu Laurel said. "By improving access to credit and support services, we empower farmers to invest in productivity, strengthen food security and build a more resilient agricultural sector."

A house-to-house information campaign is ongoing in Negros Oriental, with additional onboarding activities scheduled in the municipalities of Tayasan and Ayungon. ### (ACPC Press Release)