Development Bank of the Philippines

Under its charter, DBP is classified as a development bank. It is primarily tasked to provide banking services to cater to the needs of agricultural and industrial enterprises. It may also perform all other functions of a thrift bank.[7]

It focuses on four major areas of financing — infrastructure and logistics, social services, small and medium enterprises, and the environment.[8]

It also offers deposit and investment products and services, trade products and services, treasury products and services, transfer and remittance services, among others.

As a GOCC (Government Operated and Controlled Corporation), DBP is required to declare and remit at least half of its annual net earnings to the National Government.

A DBP branch in San Fernando, La Union

DBP's history can be traced back to the Commonwealth Era. In 1935, the National Loan and Investment Board (NLIB) was created to coordinate and manage various government trust funds such as the Postal Savings Fund and the Teacher's Retirement Fund.[9]

In 1939, the NLIB was abolished and its functions were transferred to a new body, the Agricultural and Industrial Bank (AIB).[10] AIB continued operations until the outbreak of World War II.

In 1947, the government created the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation (RFC) under Republic Act No. 85 which absorbed the assets and took over the functions of the AIB. The RFC provided credit facilities for the development of agriculture, commerce and industry and the reconstruction of properties damaged by the war.[11]

In 1958, the RFC was reorganized into the modern-day DBP. The change in corporate name marked the shift from rehabilitation to broader activities.[12]

With an initial capital of P500-million, DBP set to work on expanding its facilities and operations to accelerate efforts towards promoting national economic development. The bank established a nationwide branch network and tapped local and foreign resources to complement its capital. It also borrowed money directly from international finance institutions.

In the late 1970s up to the early 1980s, however, its viability was undermined by numerous non-performing accounts.

In 1986, President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order No. 81, which reorganized the bank and gave it a new charter.[13] All non-performing assets and liabilities were subsequently transferred to the government. DBP undertook an institutional strengthening program, including a thorough revision of its credit process, as well as employee training programs towards the intensive implementation of its new lending thrusts. DBP likewise reopened its lending windows for housing, agriculture and SMEs.

In 1995, DBP was granted an expanded banking license and attained universal banking status.

President Fidel Ramos signed Republic Act 8523 in 1998, amending DBP's 1986 charter. Among the major provisions incorporated in the new DBP charter were the increase of authorized capital stock from P5-billion to P35-billion, and the creation of the position of President and CEO.[14]

In February 2016, President Benigno Aquino III approved the merger of DBP with state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines, with pending approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and written consent of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. However, as of September 2016, the proposed DBP-Landbank merger has been canceled for implementation by the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG).[15]

The affairs and business of DBP are directed and its properties managed and preserved and its corporate powers exercised by a board of directors consisting of nine members, all appointed by the President of the Philippines. The term of office of the chairman, president and the members of the board of directors are for a period of one year or until such time as their successors are appointed.

The chairman of the board is appointed by the President of the Philippines from among the members of the board: provided, that the positions of chairman of the board and president of DBP are not to be held by the same person.

The DBP chairman presides at meetings of the board, while the president of the bank serves as vice-chairman of the board, and as such, assists the chairman and acts in his stead in case of absence or incapacity.

The chief executive officer of DBP is the president, who is elected by the board of directors from among themselves with the advice and consent of the President of the Philippines. The DBP president shall, among other powers and duties, execute, carry out and administer the policies, measures, orders and resolutions approved by the board; direct and supervise the operation and administration of the bank; and exercise such other powers and perform such other functions or duties as may be assigned to him by law or by the board from time to time.

The DBP board of directors provides for an organization and staff of officers and employees of the bank and upon recommendation of the DBP president, fix their remuneration and other emoluments. All positions in the bank are governed by the compensation, position classification system and qualification standards approved by the DBP board of directors based on a comprehensive job analysis of actual duties and responsibilities.

The key officials of the bank include:[16]

• Dante O. Tiñga – Chairman
• Michael O. de Jesus – President and chief executive officer
• Roberto V. Antonio – Director
• Maria Lourdes A. Arcenas – Director
• Emmeline C. David – Director
• Wilma T. Eisma- Director
• Philip G. Lo – Director
• Jaime Z. Paz – Director

DBP subsidiaries and affiliates include:

• Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines
• DBP Leasing Corporation
• DBP Data Center, Inc.
• DBP Management Corporation

• List of banks in the Philippines
• Land Bank of the Philippines
• BancNet

• Official website
• Media related to Development Bank of the Philippines at Wikimedia Commons