World Bank presents new Philippine partnership framework 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday accepted the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2031, marking a significant step in the 80-year collaboration between the Philippines and the World Bank Group, according to a report by Manila Standard.

Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s support, noting the CPF’s strong alignment with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 and the nation’s long-term vision, AmBisyon Natin 2040.

“We welcome the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework for 2025-2031, which supports our national vision as articulated in the AmBisyon Natin 2040,” Balisacan said.

“This framework reinforces our shared commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth by focusing on high-impact interventions promoting high-quality job generation, human capital development, climate resilience, good governance and digital transformation,” he said.

Balisacan commended the World Bank for aligning the CPF with the Philippines’ development strategies and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to implementing these reforms to achieve its socioeconomic goals.

“The World Bank’s support will be instrumental in advancing reforms and investments that foster long-term prosperity and well-being,” he said.

“We look forward to working closely with the World Bank to ensure the effective implementation of the CPF. Together, we aim to translate this strategic partnership into meaningful and tangible outcomes that accelerate our progress toward a more inclusive, innovative, resilient and sustainable Philippine economy,” he said.

Zafer Mustafao%u011Flu, World Bank Group’s division director for the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei in the East Asia and Pacific region, detailed the CPF’s three transformative outcomes aimed at accelerating the country’s development.

He said the CPF seeks to advance human capital development through improved health and education. Investments in universal healthcare, child nutrition and primary care aim to provide 19 million more people with access to quality health services.

The CPF will support curriculum reform, teacher training, and digital platforms, benefiting 15 million students with enhanced educational opportunities.

Secondly, the CPF will assist the country in generating more and better jobs by supporting policy and regulatory reforms that boost competitiveness, modernize agriculture and expand digital infrastructure.

These efforts are projected to extend broadband access to an additional 19 million people. Through investments by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the CPF aims to position the Philippines as a more attractive destination for investors, mobilizing $2 billion in private capital and helping create four million higher-quality jobs.

Thirdly, the CPF will help build resilience to climate change and other shocks by supporting the modernized Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and expanding adaptive social protection to cover 12.5 million beneficiaries. The framework will also help 13 million people become more resilient to climate and disaster risks through improved infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, and enhanced disaster risk financing.

Mustafao%u011Flu also cited the CPF’s role in strengthening public sector efficiency, aiming to provide 20 million people with access to improved digital government services, further supporting inclusive and sustainable growth in the Philippines.

“By supporting the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the CPF directly contributes to the Philippine government’s efforts to reduce poverty, promote social and economic inclusion, and enhance the country’s capacity to withstand future shocks,” Mustafao%u011Flu said.