The Washington-based International Financial Corporation (IFC) has invested $100m (€87.4m) in the Philippines’ first healthcare-focused social bond, issued by Ayala Group.

IFC said Ayala Healthcare would use proceeds from the social bond to refinance the development of a new cancer hospital, expand its network of primary care and multi-speciality clinics, and accelerate its digital technology initiatives.

“The (COVID) pandemic exposed massive under-investment in the country’s healthcare system, reinforcing our thesis for entering the sector six years ago,� said Fernando Zobel De Ayala, president and CEO of Ayala.

“The social bond supports our strategic priority to scale up Ayala Healthcare as a new growth platform, underpinned by its commitment to uplift the quality of and access to preventive care in the country.�

Rana Karadsheh Haddad, IFC’s regional industry director, manufacturing, agribusiness and services, Asia and the Pacific, said: “Our investment in this social bond from our long-standing client, the Ayala Group, will help strengthen the Philippines’ healthcare system at a crucial time, while also helping develop the market for social bonds.�

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