The World Bank has pledged to fully support for the developmental agenda of the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.

The Marcos admin's development agenda is to transform the Philippines into a “prosperous, inclusive, and poverty-free country" by 2040. The said agenda focuses on climate change, the transition to renewable energy, food and agriculture, water and sanitation, innovation, and digitalization.

In a press release, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that the World Bank made the pledge through its Director for Operations Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde who met the President along with cabinet members in a meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.

"The World Bank is committed to supporting the Philippines achieve long-term inclusive and sustainable growth, attain upper middle-income country status, and eventually become a predominantly middle-class society by 2040," Bjerde said as quoted by the PCO.

She also said that the World Bank also commended the country’s progress for the ongoing projects and improvements amid the pandemic outbreak.

Bjerde conducted a two-day visit to the country with the aim of setting the World Bank’s priorities for the PH government's developmental agenda.

Prior to Bjerde’s visit at the Palace, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno first met the World Bank Director for Operations and discussed “continuing partnership in transformative projects on agriculture, food security, health, education, RE, and climate finance.”

Last September 2022, Marcos visited New York City where he met the World Bank directors to propose his administration’s priorities.

Written by Stephanie Anne Santos, DZRH News Online Intern