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MORE than $950 million in loans will fund two projects to improve transport infrastructure and health care access in Mindanao and nearby provinces, the World Bank announced on Thursday.
“The World Bank is committed to support the Philippines in its journey towards inclusive growth and its aspiration to become an upper middle-income country,” World Bank country director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam Zafer Mustafaoğlu said in a statement.
“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,” he added.
The projects are expected to benefit at least 19 million Filipinos.
The $454.94-million Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project will upgrade a 428.2-kilometer road corridor linking the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos.
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This will enhance access to sustainable transport infrastructure and services, directly benefiting 1.16 million residents along the corridor. It aims to reduce transportation costs, minimize product losses for farmers, and ultimately contribute to poverty reduction.
World Bank senior transport specialist Pratap Tvgssshrk stressed the significance of improved road connectivity for rural communities, noting that sustainable growth in Mindanao requires a more productive agricultural sector.
Linking rural and remote areas to urban centers, where there is demand for farm produce, is a crucial intervention to support economic growth, he said.
The project involves four main thoroughfares — Sayre Highway, Bukidnon-Davao Highway, Digos-Makar Highway, and Davao-Cotabato Road — spanning six provinces, 14 municipalities, seven cities, and 168 barangay (villages).
In addition, three local roads, with a combined length of 129.86 kilometers, will be upgraded to improve access to the main transport corridor.
P495.6M for health care
Meanwhile, the $495.6-million Philippines Health System Resilience Project will help strengthen services in 17 provinces with limited health care access.
Of the 17 provinces, 11 are in Mindanao with some 17.9 million residents, including those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
The project will pour funds for disease surveillance, public health laboratories, and emergency response systems to improve preparedness for health crises.
It also seeks to empower local government units (LGUs) which are directly in charge of facilitating essential health services.
World Bank senior economist Wei Han said, “The health sector in the Philippines significantly depends on the efforts of LGUs to provide essential services. However, many [of them] face challenges due to limited resources and capacity.”
“The project also supports digital transformation, institutional strengthening, and capacity-building at both national and local levels for effective implementation,” Han added.
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