Try GOLD - Free
Meting out justice complements economic development
Manila Bulletin
|November 24, 2025
The Philippines relies significantly on the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its long-term, big-ticket infrastructure and related development projects.
-
According to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), formerly NEDA, the country's total active Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio reached $39.6 billion in 2024, a six percent increase from $37.3 billion in 2023.
Along with the Japanese government, the ADB and the WB each fund a significant portion (around 20 percent each) of the Philippines' infrastructure projects, complementing local funding and private sector participation. In 2024, the Philippines was the ADB's second-biggest recipient of financial assistance, receiving $6 billion in total financing and co-financing.
The ADB has committed over $36.5 billion in public sector support to date, with a large portion dedicated to transport projects like the North-South Commuter Railway system. The WB plans to extend as much as $23 billion in loans and other financing from mid-2025 to mid-2031.
This story is from the November 24, 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Manila Bulletin
Manila Bulletin
ASEAN+3 economic chiefs warn of slower growth, higher inflation
Central bank and finance chiefs from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan, and South Korea are bracing for slower economic growth and higher inflation risks amid a prolonged war in the Middle East.
2 mins
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
BOC exceeds targets despite tax excise cut
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P86.4 billion in April, beating its monthly target despite regional instability and tax relief measures that threatened to erode the agency’s revenue base.
1 mins
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Articles of impeachment vs VP Sara unanimously approved by House panel; Senate eyes pre-trial
The House Committee on Justice unanimously approved before noon Monday, May 4 its committee report and articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
4 mins
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Marcos mobilizes full gov't response to Mayon's eruptions
Phivolcs ready for alert level escalation
5 mins
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
PBBM opens CALAX Subsection 3, announces one-month toll-free use
President Marcos announced the toll-free use for one month of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Subsection 3 by motorists during the opening of the expressway’s new segment on Monday, May 4.
1 mins
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Marcos infra pipeline hits ₧3 T on rail boom
The Marcos administration's infrastructure pipeline has swelled to 252 public-private partnership (PPP) projects valued at P3.16 trillion, as a surge in massive railway developments across the country drives the primary development agenda.
2 mins
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Hepatitis B in the Philippines
The Philippines has one of the highest hepatitis B (HBV) burdens in the world, with 16.7 percent of Filipinos positive for the virus with over 7.27 million affected.
3 mins
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Eala improves to WTA No. 42
Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala got a big boost before joining the prestigious Italian open this week as she improved two notches for the No. 42 spot in the latest WTA rankings.
1 min
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
The disappearing entry-level jobs
Studies show that traditional entry-level jobs, typically held by recent college graduates, are shrinking due to AI-driven workplace transformation.
3 mins
May 5, 2026
Manila Bulletin
LTFRB investigates bloated list of TNVS fuel subsidy beneficiaries
At least 21 transport network companies (TNCs) are now under investigation over the bloated number of fuel subsidy beneficiaries in the ride-hailing service sector, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.
1 mins
May 5, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size