The Landbank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have expanded their partnership to digitalise payment systems and streamline procurement processes within the tourism sector.

In a signing ceremony held in January 2026, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina C. Frasco formalised two agreements aimed at improving operational efficiency and transparency.

Under the new agreement, the DOT will adopt the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal.

This digital payment channel will allow tourism-related establishments and businesses to pay for accreditation, regulatory fees, penalties, and bidding documents online.

The system is designed to reduce the need for manual transactions and simplify administrative procedures.

Additionally, the DOT will implement the Government Purchase Card (GPC) Programme. The initial rollout will cover 16 Regional Directors across the country.

The GPC aims to expedite the procurement of essential goods and services while strengthening internal financial controls.

“By streamlining payments and accelerating procurement processes, we aim to support the DOT in focusing even more on its core mission—promoting our country, empowering tourism enterprises and workers, and welcoming the world to our shores,” said Ortiz.

Secretary Frasco highlighted the alignment between the two institutions.

“We are happy that LANDBANK has seen and supported the vision of the Department of Tourism. In many ways, our work is very similar in that its main goal is community development—ensuring that our local communities benefit from access to economic opportunities,” she stated.

This collaboration marks a continued effort by the state-run bank to provide digital solutions that support government efficiency.

Both agencies indicated that leveraging technology remains a priority for driving sustainable growth in the Philippine tourism industry.

Featured image by the Philippine Information Agency.