The Philippines’ development partners, led by the World Bank, have committed to provide about $50 billion in assistance over the next three years to support the country’s growth agenda, a World Bank official said Monday.
The support is contingent on a formal request from the government and is aimed at helping the Philippines accelerate the delivery of better services to its citizens as it moves toward upper-middle-income status.
Speaking at the 2025 Philippine Development Forum, Zafer Mustafaoglu, the World Bank’s division director for the Philippines, said the country had already made “significant progress” under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
“For instance, nutrition services have been expanded, education investments have increased, the building of a modern infrastructure is underway, and reforms to strengthen industries have advanced,” Mustafaoglu said.
He noted, however, that challenges remain, including the need to deliver better education, health, social protection and connectivity.
Mustafaoglu said that official development assistance (ODA) could be deployed more strategically to address remaining development gaps and to improve transparency and accountability.
“Collectively, the development partners stand ready to extend around $50 billion in support over the next three years, if requested by the government, to accelerate the delivery of better services for Filipino citizens,” he said.
The assistance efforts will focus on advancing health, education, nutrition and social protection as well as supporting industries like micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, and fisherfolk.
Partners will also mobilize resources and technical expertise to build modern and resilient transport systems, improve water and sanitation, and expand digital connectivity.
They also plan to help strengthen governance, digital transformation and peace initiatives through local government capacity building and accountability mechanisms.
“The next three years are decisive. We will act with urgency and focus, working double time with the government to meet Philippines’ development plan targets and deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives,” Mustafaoglu said.
