Farmers in Negros Oriental are getting quicker access to government-backed farm loans with the rollout of a new digital system designed to simplify applications and approvals.
The Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) recently introduced the upgraded Agri-Credit e-Portal (ACE Portal 2.0) during an orientation in Bayawan City. The platform allows farmers to register and apply for loans on-site during community onboarding activities.
Around 230 farmers applied for loans during the event, assisted by the Cooperative Bank of Negros Oriental, one of the program’s partner lenders.
The portal supports the government’s Agri-Puhunan and Pantawid (APP) Program, which offers financing to rice farmers. Eligible farmers cultivating 0.7 to 7 hectares can borrow up to ₱60,000 per hectare as working capital. Loans also include free crop insurance and a government-backed harvest purchase program.
ACE Portal 2.0 reduces paperwork by digitally encoding and verifying farmer information, helping speed up loan processing and coordination with partner banks that release the funds. The system is also linked to the Department of Agriculture’s farmer registry to quickly confirm eligibility.
Loan proceeds are released through a debit card issued by Universal Storefront Services Corporation, making it easier for farmers to access funds.
Officials say the digital platform is part of broader efforts to modernize Philippine agriculture and bring government services closer to farming communities.
Nationwide, more than 3,800 farmers have already enrolled in the APP Program using the portal.
