In a milestone event held at Malaca?ang Palace on July 29, 2025, the World Bank Group (WBG) and the Government of the Philippines formally launched the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2031. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who received the CPF during the launch ceremony, highlighted the importance of this new phase in the longstanding partnership. ¡°The CPF lays out a clear and strategic path for our next six years. It echoes the commitments that I shared yesterday, during the State of the Nation Address,¡± he said.
A Forward-Looking Framework
The CPF outlines how the WBG will support the Philippines in meeting its development goals¡ªfocusing on areas where it can deliver the greatest impact. Aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023¨C2028, the CPF brings together knowledge, financing, and partnerships to advance inclusive growth and resilience.
The CPF prioritizes three core outcomes:
- Improved access to quality health and education: helping 19 million more people access quality health services and reaching 15 million students with improved education.
- More private sector jobs: generating 4 million more and better jobs, bringing broadband access to 19 million more people, and crowding in US$2 billion in private capital.
- Stronger socioeconomic resilience: expanding social safety net programs to cover an additional 12.5 million beneficiaries and helping 13 million people become more resilient to climate and disaster risks.
A cross-cutting focus on public sector efficiency aims to enable 20 million people to benefit from improved digital government services.
Shaped Through Broad-based Dialogue
The CPF was developed through a year-long process in consultation with the government and informed by broad consultations with national agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and development partners. This inclusive approach ensured that the CPF is closely aligned with the country¡¯s needs and reform agenda.
A New Chapter with a New Approach
This CPF sets the stage for a new era of collaboration¡ªanchored in a unified ¡°One WBG¡± approach that leverages the collective strengths of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The CPF represents one of the largest and most ambitious WBG engagements in the East Asia & Pacific region.
An Elevated Partnership
The launch of the CPF coincides with a significant milestone¡ªthe 80th anniversary of the Philippines joining the World Bank in 1945. Over the decades, the partnership has evolved from post-war reconstruction support to one of the most dynamic development collaborations in the region today.
