Insider Spotlight
BDO Unibank Inc. reinforced its role as a key infrastructure financier by anchoring a P50-billion transaction tied to Prime Infra’s acquisition of a controlling stake in First Gen Corp.’s gas assets, supporting the Philippines’ energy security and sustainability goals.
The transaction highlights how strategic financial solutions can accelerate the country’s shift toward a cleaner, more reliable power system, while ensuring stable energy supply amid rising demand and transition risks.
Why it matters
In the deal, BDO financed 60 percent of the total loan facility under a 10-year term, enabling Prime Infra to acquire a 60-percent controlling stake in First Gen’s gas assets.
BDO Capital & Investment Corp. served as mandated lead arranger, while BDO Trust Investments Group acted as facility agent and collateral trustee, underscoring the bank’s end-to-end support for large-scale, high-impact infrastructure projects.
What they’re saying
“BDO’s role in Prime Infra’s investment supports our broader push to scale the country’s natural gas infrastructure. These investments are essential in strengthening energy security and supporting the Philippines’ transition to a cleaner and more reliable power system,” Prime Infra president and CEO Guillaume Lucci said in a press release on Jan. 9, 2026.
BDO Capital president Ed V. Francisco added, “This landmark deal highlights BDO’s commitment to providing strategic financing solutions for critical infrastructure—projects that power national development and shape the Philippines’ evolving energy landscape.”
Big picture
Natural gas plays a crucial transition role as the Philippines moves toward higher renewable energy penetration.
The Clean Energy Complex in Batangas, jointly developed by Prime Infra and First Gen, contributes over 2,000 megawatts of generation capacity and supports the government’s target of a 35-percent renewable energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040 under the Philippine Energy Plan 2023–2050.
What’s nextPrime Infra said the acquisition is a pivotal step in expanding the country’s natural gas value chain, including downstream infrastructure such as the offshore LNG terminal now part of its portfolio.
For BDO, the transaction reinforces its strategy of channeling capital toward projects that balance sustainability, energy security, and long-term economic growth—positioning finance as a catalyst for the Philippines’ evolving power system. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
