In a significant move to boost educational opportunities for the marginalized sectors in Negros Oriental, the LANDBANK Countryside Development Foundation, Inc. (LCDFI) and Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Iskolar ng LANDBANK Program (ILP) today, May 15, 2026.

The virtual signing ceremony, held via Zoom, marks a collaborative commitment to provide high-quality education and career pathways to benefit poor but deserving students.

The Iskolar ng LANDBANK Program is a responsive scholarship initiative designed to support deserving dependents of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), Small Farmers and Fisherfolk.

The program aims not only to provide financial and educational assistance but also to ensure that graduates find meaningful employment, ultimately helping them improve the lives of their families and contribute to nation-building.

During the ceremony, leaders from both institutions expressed their dedication to the cause:
Mr. Roy C. Oscillada, Executive Director of LCDFI, delivered the welcome remarks, highlighting the foundation's mission to spur development in the countryside.
Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi, NORSU University President, provided a message of support, emphasizing the university's mandate to facilitate programs for poor but deserving students.
Ms. Catherine S. Noble, LCDFI Program Officer, presented a comprehensive overview of the ILP, detailing how the Scholarship Trust Fund—sourced from LANDBANK’s annual donations—will be managed and disbursed.

The partnership is a testament to the shared vision of both organizations to promote equal access to quality education.

The event was also attended by NORSU key university officials, including Dr. Cesar P. Estrope, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services, Dr. Carlou Bernaldez, Director, University Institutional Student Programs and Services, and Ms. Shiela Escorial, Head, Scholarship Office.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Alfred Lindsey Mapilisan, Deputy Executive Director of LCDFI, reiterated that this partnership is more than just a formal agreement; it is a promise of a brighter future for the youth of Negros Oriental.