President FerdinandMarcos Jr. praised the ongoing support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Philippines which has significantly contributed to the country’s economic development.

During newly-elected ADB President Masato Kanda’s courtesy call in Malacanang, Marcos recalled the long-standing support of the ADB to the Philippines, which began during his father’s administration, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

On December 19, 1966, ADB was inaugurated in Manila, and there were only 31 members at that time, serving a predominantly agricultural region. Takeshi Watanabe was the first president of the ADB.

The ADB has 69 members, 49 of which are 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 following projects funded by the ADB are part of the current administration’s initiatives: 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.

Kanda assumed the ADB presidency on February 24 to complete the remaining term of immediate past President Masatsugu Asakawa, whose term expires on November 23, 2026. Presidential News Desk