By Eileen Mencias
The government is securing two new loans from the World Bank, totaling $950.54 million, to fund infrastructure and healthcare initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and health services, particularly in Mindanao.
The World Bank said the Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project and the Philippines Health System Resilience Project will benefit at least 19 million Filipinos.
“The World Bank is committed to support the Philippines in its journey toward inclusive growth and its aspiration to become an upper middle-income country,” said Zafer Mustafaoglu, World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam.
“Initiatives that enhance transport connectivity and boost health services in low-capacity regions, particularly in Mindanao, can address regional disparities while enhancing the quality of life for many Filipinos.”
The $454.94-million Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project will focus on developing road networks in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos. It aims to rehabilitate and upgrade 428.2 kilometers of roads across six provinces, 14 municipalities, seven cities, and 168 barangays, including key highways such as the Sayre Highway, Bukidnon-Davao Highway, Digos-Makar Highway, and Davao-Cotabato Road.
The project will also improve 129.86 kilometers of local roads connecting the three major cities. An estimated 1.16 million people are expected to benefit from the improvements.
Meanwhile, the $495.6-million Philippines Health System Resilience Project seeks to strengthen climate-resilient healthcare networks, enhance workforce capacity, and improve governance.
The initiative will focus on disease surveillance, public health laboratories, and emergency response systems. Targeting 17 provinces—including 11 in Mindanao—the project is expected to benefit 17.9 million people in underserved areas.
“The health sector in the Philippines significantly depends on efforts of local government units (LGUs) to provide essential services. However, many LGUs face challenges due to limited resources and capacity,” said Wei Han, World Bank Senior Economist. “This project is vital as it aims to empower these low-capacity LGUs to deliver high-quality health services, thereby driving socioeconomic progress through improved health outcomes for Filipinos.”
