IBA, Zambales — Thirty-five-year-old fisher Paolo E. Quitaneg comes from a family
that casts their nets and hopes into the sea. From an early age, he witnessed how the
bountiful waters of Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea — locally known as
Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal — sustained their livelihood and nourished
countless generations before him.
But in 2012, the tides suddenly turned. Due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the
area, access to this traditional fishing ground, which Paolo described as a “true
paradise,” was restricted. For small fishers like him, the loss of Scarborough Shoal
meant not just a lost catch, but the unraveling of an entire way of life.
Despite the risks, Paolo and fellow fishers tried to continue fishing in the area, But the
rising presence of large foreign vessels made each trip more dangerous, as local
fishers were intercepted, and faced threats and harassment at sea, with warning
signals often blaring before they could even draw close to the shoal.
“Yung huling punta namin doon noong 2024, ni-radyo agad kami. Andun ‘yung kaba
at takot na baka masira ang bangka namin, kaya hindi na kami bumalik. Lahat kami
dito sa buong Zambales apektado, at nawalan ng magandang kita kasi ‘yun talaga
ang pangunahing pinagkukunan namin ng kabuhayan,” Paolo shared, adding that they
even had to sell their boat just to make ends meet.
(“Our last trip there was in 2024, and we were immediately warned through a radio.
We felt the fear and anxiety that our boat might get damaged, so we never returned.
All of us here in Zambales were affected and lost a good source of income because
that was our main livelihood,” Paolo shared.)
Charting a safer course with payaos
As the country pursues diplomatic solutions to ease maritime tensions, Paolo’s family
chose to chart a different course. In 2022, they established and registered LIMVQS
Enterprise as a small business operating fish aggregating devices — locally called
payaos — as an alternative method of drawing fish closer to shore. Since then, Paolo’s
family has acquired a fishing vessel to sustain their operations.
These fish aggregating devices, typically made from styrofoam, old tires and net, are
set up about 15 nautical miles offshore to attract fish and encourage spawning. After
about three weeks, the fish can be harvested using large nets. This has allowed
Paolo’s family to secure a steady catch and income without venturing into the
contested waters of Scarborough Shoal.
Scaling up with LANDBANK’s support
Recognizing the potential of payaos as a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional fishing, Paolo turned to LANDBANK in 2024 to scale up their operations. He applied for financial assistance to construct 10 new payao units, each costing around P100,000.
Through the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Lending Program, jointly implemented by LANDBANK and the Department of Agriculture (DA), Paolo was granted a loan with a low annual interest rate of only 2%. Under this Program, farmers and fishers can borrow up to ₱1 million, while cooperatives,
associations, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can access loans up to ₱5 million.
“Nagulat kami — mayroon pa palang ganitong bangko. Hindi ako nahirapan, very
friendly ang mga staff. Binigyan nila ako ng magagandang options at inalalayang
makumpleto ang mga requirements. Ganoon pala ang LANDBANK — tutulungan ka
para maiangat ka, para makakuha ka ng magandang kabuhayan,” said Paolo.
(“We were surprised — we didn’t know there was still a bank like this. I didn’t have a
hard time, the staff are very friendly. They gave me good options and guided me
through the requirements. That’s what LANDBANK is like — they help you rise, so that
you can build a better livelihood,” said Paolo.)
In January 2025, Paolo’s family deployed their new payaos off the coast of Zambales.
Their catch grew significantly from roughly 16,000 kilos to nearly 50,000 kilos per
month, allowing them to supply public markets as far as Malabon, where prices are
more favorable.
With a steady income, they were able to save enough to place a down payment on
their first delivery truck, saving P25,000 on truck rental costs for every trip to Malabon
Public Market. Now, they keep more of their earnings to better support their family’s
needs.
From safer seas to thriving communities
livelihoods for 36 local workers, while ensuring a steady supply of fresh fish from Zambales
to Metro Manila.
What began as a lifeline for Paolo’s family has since become a source of hope for
others. The LIMVQS Enterprise now provides livelihood for 36 local workers hired as
harvesters and porters, who no longer risk their safety at sea to earn a living.
Local dealers across Zambales have also benefited from the increased fish supply,
which has helped stabilize market availability and prices. The ripple effect extends to
Metro Manila, where consumers now enjoy a steady supply of affordable, fresh, and
responsibly-sourced fish.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa LANDBANK, sa Department of Agriculture, at sa aming
LGU na nagbigay ng endorsement at suporta para kami ay makahiram ng sapat na
puhunan. Kahit kami ay mula sa marginalized sector, pinaramdam ninyo ang tiwala at
suporta para kami’y makabangon at umasenso,” Paolo expressed.
(“I am grateful to LANDBANK, the Department of Agriculture, and our LGU for the
endorsement and support that allowed us to secure enough capital. Even though we
come from the marginalized sector, you showed us trust and support to help us
recover and improve our livelihood,” Paolo expressed.)
Looking ahead, Paolo plans to apply for another loan from LANDBANK once the first
loan is fully paid. He will use the fund to purchase a second truck to expand deliveries
to other provinces, such as Laguna.
Fueling the current of progress
LANDBANK continues to intensify its support across the entire agriculture value chain
— from small farmers and fishers to agribusinesses. As of March 2025, the Bank’s
agriculture, fisheries, and rural development (AFRD) loan portfolio has grown to
₱844.61 billion, accounting for 53.4% of its total gross loans of ₱1.58 trillion.
Between January and March alone, LANDBANK assisted almost 28,000 new small
farmers and fishers, bringing total beneficiaries nationwide to 4.04 million. These were
supported through direct lending, partnerships with credit conduits, and capacity-
building initiatives.
ABOUT LANDBANK
LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting
financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development.
Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible
and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to
countrywide.
