ADB backs expanded Luzon corridor push amid infra bottlenecks

MANILA, Philippines – The Manila-based Asian Development Bank has thrown its support behind the expansion of the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), saying the growth belt still faces massive infrastructure requirements that could benefit from the entry of seven additional partner countries.

ADB Philippines Director Andrew Jeffries said the expanded partnership would help sustain momentum in developing what has become one of the country’s most critical economic corridors.

READ: 7 more countries join Luzon corridor pact

“In general, 60 percent of the whole country’s GDP is more or less within this corridor,” Jeffries said on the sidelines of an LEC reception in Makati. “Of course, because it’s such a large part of the whole Philippine GDP, it’s a very important corridor to keep developing.”

Jeffries said that several ADB-backed projects are already underway within the corridor.

After all, the Philippines received the largest share of ADB funding support in 2025 at $6.8 billion in loans, grants and cofinancing, marking a nearly 12-percent increase from the previous year.

Half of the ADB’s public sector commitments last year directly supported infrastructure, reforms and institutions aimed at unlocking investments.

Beyond its economic contribution, Jeffries said the LEC remains critical because of its fast-growing population and strategic transport links.

While he stopped short of saying whether the ADB would support specific projects under the expanded LEC partnership, Jeffries pointed to persistent transportation bottlenecks in the country, including capacity constraints at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

At the LEC reception, Finance Secretary Frederick Go expressed confidence in the expanded partnership.

“The growing momentum behind the LEC today is very encouraging,” said Go, who co-chairs the corridor’s steering committee. “Our success will ultimately be measured by tangible outcomes: better infrastructure, more investments, stronger industries, improved connectivity, more resilient supply chains, and greater opportunities for the Filipino people.”

Formed in April 2024, the LEC is part of the Group of Seven’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.

What began in 2024 as a trilateral partnership among the Philippines, Japan and the United States has since expanded into a 10-member initiative after Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom formally joined this week. /pai