DBP feted in AsPac tilt for key projects

MANILA, Philippines — State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) bagged three awards from an international group of financial institutions for its projects that expand access to education, widen financial inclusion and support local economic development, a top official said.

DBP president and chief executive officer Michael de Jesus said the bank was named winner at the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) Development Awards 2026 in the Corporate Social Responsibility category for its flagship CSR program for education and earned two merit awards for its financial inclusion and countryside development initiatives.

“We are deeply honored for these recognitions which serve as an affirmation of DBP’s efforts to advance national development and inspire us to remain steadfast in our mandate of supporting initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable growth in the country,” De Jesus said.

DBP is the 10th largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small, and medium enterprises; environment; social services and community development.

ADFIAP is a regional body founded in Manila in 1976, consisting of development banks and financial institutions operating in Asia-Pacific. Its annual awards program held in Colombo, Sri Lanka recognized outstanding projects of members that advance sustainable economic, environmental and social development.

De Jesus said the DBP Integrated Scholastic Program for Inclusive and Sustainable Education (DBP INSPIRE) was cited as top CSR program by the ADFIAP for pioneering a ladderized framework that integrates continuous education for students across primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

He said DBP INSPIRE offers scholarship grants, covering endowment for tuition fees and other school-related expenses, to indigent high school graduates who wish to pursue higher education and extends support to primary and secondary public school students through outreach programs, such as the Brigada Eskwela and Adopt-a-School Program of the Department of Education.

“With total allocation of P510-million for five years, DBP INSPIRE represents a significant investment of the Bank and more importantly, addresses the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to ramp up government support to the education sector,” he added.

DBP also earned a Merit Award in the Local Economic Development category for its credit assistance to the local government of Calumpit, Bulacan for the improvement of its public market, financed under the Bank’s Assistance for Economic and Social Development for Local Government Units that benefitted more than 120,000 residents in the area and from neighboring municipalities.

De Jesus said ADFIAP cited DBP’s financial inclusion initiatives, particularly the opening of branch-lite units in Talakag, Bukidnon and Viga, Catanduanes, which helped bring essential financial services to far-flung areas and unbanked communities in Luzon and Mindanao.

He said these recognitions reflect DBP’s commitment to advancing initiatives that make financial services more accessible to our countrymen, especially in underserved areas.