In a heartfelt farewell meeting at Malacañang on January 23, 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its crucial role in the Philippines’ development and its recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. During the ceremony, Marcos honored outgoing ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa with the prestigious Order of Sikatuna, recognizing his leadership and the bank’s significant contributions to the nation.
Marcos expressed profound appreciation for the ADB’s support, emphasizing its importance during the global health emergency. ‘The ADB’s involvement has been invaluable,’ Marcos stated, highlighting the bank’s assistance in various foreign-aided projects and its financial and technical aid that played a key role in easing the pandemic’s impact and speeding up recovery efforts.
‘The support from ADB during the pandemic was critical. It was absolutely essential for our recovery. Without it, our situation would have been far more challenging,’ Marcos acknowledged, underscoring the importance of the ADB’s intervention.
Looking forward, Marcos expressed a strong desire to deepen the partnership with the ADB, aiming to enhance engagement and strengthen ties further. ‘We are committed to increasing our collaboration and making it even more robust. Thank you for all your support,’ he added.
The Order of Sikatuna awarded to Asakawa celebrates his efforts in strengthening the Philippines-ADB relationship, particularly in areas such as economic development, infrastructure, health, climate resilience, and human capital development.
Asakawa, who has led the ADB since January 17, 2020, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with Marcos before his term ended. The ADB remains a vital partner for the Philippines, consistently supporting development initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable growth throughout the country.