Almost 19 million residents in Mindanao to experience enhancements in transportation and health sectors through planned projects

World Bank Approves Two New Projects to Boost Transport Infrastructure and Health Services in the Philippines

The World Bank has announced the approval of two new projects worth a combined total of US$950.54 million to enhance transport infrastructure and health services in the Philippines.

The first project, titled the Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project, aims to improve transport connectivity and services in Mindanao and low-capacity provinces. Wei Han, World Bank Senior Economist, stated that this project will empower local government units to deliver high-quality transport services, thereby driving socioeconomic progress.

The project will finance the rehabilitation and upgrading of a 428.2-kilometre main road corridor linking three major cities in Mindanao, and support the upgrading of three local roads connecting to the corridor. This initiative can address regional disparities while enhancing the quality of life for many Filipinos.

The second project, titled the Philippines Health System Resilience Project, aims to enhance climate-resilient healthcare networks, improve workforce and governance, and promote high-quality health services at the provincial level. The project will prioritize seventeen provinces with low healthcare access capacity, benefiting 17.9 million people, including those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

The health project will also support digital transformation, institutional strengthening, and capacity-building at both national and local levels for effective implementation. The Mindanao project will benefit at least 1.16 million residents along a key road corridor in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos.

Zafer Mustafaoğlu, World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, stated that these initiatives can address regional disparities while enhancing the quality of life for many Filipinos. The organizations that have committed to providing financial support for these projects is Plan International.

Connecting rural and remote areas to urban centers is a key intervention to support growth in the agricultural sector, according to World Bank Senior Transport Specialist, Pratap Tvgssshrk. However, this aspect is not explicitly mentioned in the details of the projects.

The World Bank's new projects are aimed at improving health outcomes for Filipinos and delivering high-quality services, thereby driving socioeconomic progress. The exact audiences for these projects are not specified.

Almost 19 million residents in Mindanao to experience enhancements in transportation and health sectors through planned projects