The implementation of programs and projects funded by recently approved World Bank loans has been a mixed bag, with some progressing as scheduled while others face “minor” delays.

In a Dec. 22 implementation status and results report, the World Bank said the Philippines Second Sustainable Recovery Development Policy Loan (DPL) has overall implementation progress rated as “satisfactory” since the Washington-based multilateral lender approved the financing in June 2024.

The DPL, which aims to accelerate the Philippines’ economic recovery, boost medium-term growth, protect the environment, and improve climate resilience, likewise shows “satisfactory” progress toward achieving its development objectives.

The $750-million loan has been fully spent ahead of the closing date on Dec. 31, 2025, although the report showed a disbursed amount of $782.32 million.

The World Bank explained that the discrepancy between the total disbursed amount and the loan amount was a “system glitch that needs to be fixed,” as “the amount withdrawn was in euros with an equivalent United States (US) dollar amount of $750 million.”

The World Bank lauded the reform program for advancing across all areas according to available data.

Key achievements under the program’s first pillar include harmonized domestic shipping regulations, enactment of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, revised project monitoring guidelines, a core policy framework for offshore wind development, and the adoption of sustainable finance taxonomy guidelines by banks and regulators like the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the World Bank said.

Under its second pillar, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) set standards for extended producer responsibility (EPR) reports, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued guidelines for electric vehicle (EV) charging station accreditation, and green procurement specifications were piloted in select agencies, it added.

Meanwhile, a Dec. 21 implementation status and results report for the Philippines Civil Service Modernization Project, being implemented by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), showed overall implementation progress downgraded to “moderately satisfactory” from “satisfactory.”

This investment project financing (IPF), which aims to improve the efficiency and quality of human resource (HR) and payroll management in selected national government (NG) agencies, has yet to disburse any of its $67.34-million loan financing, as “the initiation of project activities is still ongoing,” the World Bank said.

It became effective in July this year and will close in end-2029.

According to the World Bank, the project officially launched on Sept. 3, with CSC and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) leadership presenting reform objectives to around 200 participants from nearly all 40 pilot agencies.

By the end of September, a steering committee, two technical working groups (TWGs), and a project management unit (PMU) were established, the World Bank said.

For the Philippines Health System Resilience Project, which is being implemented by the Department of Health (DOH), a Dec. 11 implementation status and results report also showed a downgraded overall implementation progress to “moderately satisfactory” from “satisfactory.”

This IPF aims to improve the utilization and quality of health services, as well as enhance health emergency prevention, preparedness, and response in the provinces covered by the project.

“Since project effectiveness in June 2025, implementation has progressed with some minor delays,” the World Bank said.

According to the lender, the DOH has already established key project management structures, including a steering committee, project management team, and TWGs, while recruitment for the national and regional project management offices (PMOs) is ongoing.

Procurement is scheduled to start this month, infrastructure assessments were already completed for five out of 17 provinces, and performance-based grant (PBG) indicators and methodologies have been agreed upon, with consultations and preparations for the first PBG disbursement set for 2026, 

Since an initial disbursement amounting to 850,000 euros, or about $980,000, was processed last Nov. 12, there remains an undisbursed financing of $494.72 million, or 99.8 percent of the $495.6-million loan. This project will close in mid-2030.