In a social media post on Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the role of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in regional development and expressed his anticipation for newly-elected ADB president Masato Kanda’s continued support of the Philippines’ initiatives.
“The Asia Development Bank has been instrumental in driving sustainable and inclusive development in the region. I look forward to incoming ADB President Masato Kanda’s continued support of the Philippines’ development agenda,” Marcos wrote.
During a courtesy call by Kanda at Malacañang yesterday, Marcos acknowledged the longstanding partnership between the ADB and the Philippines, which dates back to his father, Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.’s administration. He emphasized how this enduring collaboration has significantly contributed to the country’s development.
The ADB was officially inaugurated in Manila on December 19, 1966, initially comprising 31 member countries, primarily focused on serving an agricultural region. Takeshi Watanabe served as the first president of the ADB. Today, the institution has grown to include 69 members, with 49 of them from Asia.
Marcos described the ADB as “the most important partner” of the Philippines, saying, “The partnership between the ADB and the Philippines has been tremendous.”
The ADB is funding several key projects that align with the current administration’s initiatives, including the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, the Climate Change Action Program, the Build Universal Health Care Program, the Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19 (HEAL) Project, the Competitive and Inclusive Agriculture Development Program, and the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program.
Reflecting on his new role, Kanda expressed his commitment to the ADB’s mission, stating, “With the trust of our 69 members and strong support of our dedicated staff, I am committed to advancing the ADB’s mission to promote sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth. Together, we will respond to pressing development challenges, ensuring that the ADB remains the partner of choice for the region.”