LandBank rolls out digital purchase card

State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) has partnered with global payments firm Visa to launch a Government Purchase Card (GPC), a digital payment solution designed to modernize government procurement by replacing cash advances and paper-based reimbursement processes.

The new payment system functions like a credit card, allowing government agencies to make authorized purchases and settle the total amount during the billing cycle, LandBank officials said during the product launch in Manila.

LandBank Executive Vice President Marilou Villafranca said the GPC will streamline procurement by eliminating manual cash advance and liquidation procedures, resulting in faster, more transparent, and more efficient transactions.

To strengthen accountability, the card will be linked to an integrated digital expense management platform that will automate transaction recording, reconciliation, approval workflows, and financial reporting. The system is scheduled to go live in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Villafranca said every transaction made using the card will be reflected immediately in the digital platform, providing real-time visibility over government spending.

She added that the Commission on Audit (COA) will also be given access to the platform, allowing auditors to monitor expenditures and strengthen oversight of public funds.

The LandBank Visa GPC will initially be used for procurement-related payments, including low-value purchases, official travel expenses, and recurring government expenditures.

The card also features built-in safeguards such as spending limits, merchant restrictions, and digital monitoring tools to help agencies improve compliance and financial control.

LandBank First Vice President Kris Cuevas said transaction limits will be determined by each government agency based on its operational requirements and spending patterns.

The Bureau of the Treasury, which oversees the custody and disbursement of government funds, is among the first agencies to adopt the digital purchase card across its 16 regional offices.

LandBank aims to onboard 2,000 government agencies before the end of the year as part of its broader digital transformation program.

Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro said the partnership seeks to make government procurement more secure, transparent, and efficient while reducing administrative workloads.

He said automating procurement and expense management will allow government agencies to spend less time on manual processes and focus more on delivering public services.