OREANDA-NEWS. In the latest event of a series of 50th anniversary celebrations, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) opened today at SM Megamall a photo exhibit depicting half a century of its operations in improving lives across Asia and the Pacific.  

“Today’s event marks another landmark in celebrating our development partnership with the Philippines,” said Bambang Susantono, ADB Vice-President for Knowledge Management  and Sustainable Development, at the opening. “We are bringing the story and work of the ADB to Filipinos from all walks of life and what better way to do this than through the SM malls.”

The exhibit, which was first launched at the Department of Foreign Affairs in November and in various ADB member countries, highlights ADB’s history, key events, and operations over the years, starting with primarily agricultural assistance in 1966 to an Asia facing food shortages. 

“For 50 years we have been evolving, responding to the needs of our developing member countries in times of growth, change and crisis — think Asian financial crisis, the tsunami in 2004, Yolanda in 2013, among others,” Mr. Susantono said. “And all these years, Manila has been ADB’s home, from where our work to support developing Asia and the Pacific has made a positive impact on the lives of the people we serve.” 

ADB and the Philippines’ partnership has been strong from the beginning. Mr. Susantono pointed to two Filipinos, who were pivotal in shaping ADB in 1966 — Justice  Florentino Feliciano who helped draft the ADB Charter; and Cornelio Balmaceda, then Philippines’ Secretary of Commerce who advocated for ADB to be based in a developing country and in Manila itself. Since its first loan to the Philippines in 1969, ADB has provided over $17 billion in public and private sector loans, technical assistance, and grants.

Mr. Susantono acknowledged the support of SM Prime and Millie Dizon, SM Senior Vice President for Marketing, for its partnership in bringing the ADB story through the exhibit to the Filipino public. 

“The photos show remarkable growth in Asia and the Pacific and ADB’s work across the region, including the Philippines,” Mr. Susantono said. “It is in this spirit of hope that we share this with Filipinos through the gracious support of SM Prime.”