ADB readies $4-B package for the Philippines in 2026
With its 2025 program in the Philippines nearly complete, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is preparing to firm up around $4 billion in loans for 2026. This covers a mix of new initiatives and carryover financing for multiyear projects.
In an interview with reporters, ADB country director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries said they are still agreeing on the projects with the Department of Finance and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development to finalize next year’s lending pipeline.
Jeffries said the $4-billion range represents the lender’s official development assistance (ODA) for government-led programs and still excludes private-sector operations.
“We have a robust set of projects in transport, health and education for next year and going into the future,” he told reporters.
Exact figures for next year’s project list have not yet been finalized.
The 2026 pipeline will also retain phased financing for big-ticket infrastructure. These include future stages of the Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge and the North–South Commuter Railway.
“Some are carryover. Our very large mega projects take many years to construct. The loans are in phases, so we have some future phases of our large projects as part of that number for next year,” Jeffries added.
The multilateral lender recently approved a $400-million loan for the Business Environment Strengthening with Technology Program Subprogram 1. This is aimed at helping the government cut red tape.
Another $500-million loan was cleared for the Marine Ecosystems for Blue Economy Development Program Subprogram 1. This supports marine ecosystem management and strengthens the country’s ocean-based economy.
These two loans, Jeffries said, will wrap up ADB’s lending program to the Philippines for this year.
ADB remains a key development partner for the Philippines, providing both loans and technical assistance across infrastructure, social services and governance programs. It was the country’s second-largest ODA source, contributing $10.4 billion or 28.7 percent of total ODA financing as of March 2025.
