“A vision of service from womb to tomb.” For the Ligas Kooperatiba ng Bayan sa
Pagpapaunlad (LKBP), this is not just a mantra—it is a continuing promise realized for over
18,300 members and counting.
Founded in 1986 with a modest capital of only P15,800 pooled from its 30 founding
members, LKBP dared to challenge the cycle of debt, driven by high-interest informal loans,
offering an alternative financial solution to the community.
Fast forward 39 years and LKBP now boasts of
P2.8 billion in assets and P367 million in share
capital, becoming a cornerstone of financial
empowerment in Bulacan and beyond.
“Being a billionaire cooperative is not just
about what LKBP is worth. It also means that
we have a greater responsibility to ensure all
our 18,300 members are financially equipped
and included, so they can improve their lives,”
said LKBP Finance Manager Ms. Marilette A. Avendaño.
A Cooperative for the Community
Staying true to its commitment, LKBP has
evolved beyond a financial institution—as an
accessible lifeline for its members and the
community.
It has established various essential services
that directly benefit members at every stage
of life, from education and healthcare to
livelihood opportunities, and memorial care
through a dedicated area at the Manila
Memorial Park for its deceased members.
“Initially, our clinic was meant exclusively for our members, but we soon realized that the
broader community also needed medical support. So, we opened our doors to non-
members at affordable rates. Cooperatives should not only serve their members but should
also uplift as many lives as possible in the community,” Avendaño added.
The cooperative has also played a significant role in generating employment. Through its
diverse ventures—including a garments manufacturing business in partnership with the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a fuel refilling station, and a hardware
enterprise—the cooperative provides stable jobs to individuals, including those who lack
formal education. Employees are not only given fair wages and benefits but are also
treated with dignity and respect, embodying LKBP’s belief in shared prosperity.
Powered by LANDBANK
Determined to expand its operations and impact to the community, LKBP partnered with
LANDBANK in 2000, beginning with deposit accounts and later growing into credit facilities
to support LKBP’s own lending activities. This collaboration provided the cooperative with
the financial muscle to meet the increasing demands of its members, including those
engaged in poultry farming in the Baliwag and Pampanga areas.
“We started with a modest credit line with LANDBANK, which now stands at P1 billion. It’s a
good problem to have because we know that anytime we need funds, we can rely on
LANDBANK to support us,” Avendaño shared.
LANDBANK’s alignment with LKBP’s mission of financial inclusion has been instrumental in
scaling the cooperative’s initiatives. With access to tailored financial solutions, LKBP has not
only expanded its reach but has also improved its services for grassroots members.
“LANDBANK shares LKBP’s commitment to grassroots development. They have always
provided financial solutions that cater to small-scale entrepreneurs and cooperatives,
ensuring that even the most underserved members of the community have access to credit
and banking services,” Avendaño said.
Inspiring other Cooperatives
As one of the most successful cooperatives 
in Region 3, LKBP’s has become a
benchmark for other aspiring cooperatives.
Through knowledge-sharing initiatives such
as learning field trips, LKBP trains other
cooperatives on strategies and best
practices for sustainable growth and
community impact.
In recognition of its outstanding
contributions to cooperative excellence and service to the community, LKBP was recently
awarded as the Outstanding Non-Agri-Based Cooperative in the Large Category under the
Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatiba (Gawad PITAK) during LANDBANK’s MERIT Awards.
“It is heartwarming to know that other emerging cooperatives look up to us. It assures us
that our work is visible and impactful, and we are more than willing to share our knowledge
with others,” Avendaño added.
From its humble beginnings to becoming a billion-peso cooperative, LKBP has
demonstrated that financial growth and social responsibility are not mutually exclusive, but
can go hand in hand. With strong support from LANDBANK, LKBP continues to redefine the
standard for cooperative excellence in the Philippines by empowering individuals and
uplifting communities.
ABOUT LANDBANK
LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the Philippines promoting
financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in
all 82 provinces in the country, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive
financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
