Mr. Bastillo is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation (SBCorp), also known as the Small Business Corporation, a government-owned and controlled corporation in the Philippines mandated to provide financing and other services to the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises. Prior to this post, he was Vice President for Innovation and Advocacy, and concurrently the Official Spokesperson of SBCorp.
Prior to his executive posts at SBCorp, Mr. Bastillo was one of the country’s recognized management experts, with more than 29 years of experience in management consultancy work in the business, government, non-government, grassroots and international development sectors in the Philippines and other countries. His work in the Philippines spanned all over the country, involving more than 170 organizations, programs, and companies.
Mr. Bastillo was an Associate Professor at the Asian Institute of Management from 1993 to 2000, where he was the Director of the Master in Development Management Program. He also had more than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur and a business executive from 1985 to 2021.
He graduated from the University of the Philippines at Los Banos in 1982 with a BS degree in Agricultural Economics, cum laude, and from the Asian Institute of Management in 1988, with a Master in Business Management degree. He also has a Diploma in Agribusiness Management in 1984 from UPLB-TLRC.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) has been established as targeted, practitioner-led platforms to address critical development financing challenges across ADFIAP-member DFIs. Coordinated jointly by the Focal Team of Special Interest Groups (FT-SIG)—led by the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) of Cambodia and the ADFIAP Secretariat—the SIG initiative enables member banks to exchange evidence-based practices, diagnose institutional bottlenecks, and formulate joint action plans.
SIG 1: Integrated Financial Instruments and Guarantees
SIG 2: Sustainable Finance (Green and Climate Finance)
SIG 3: Sustainable Infrastructure
SIG 4: Digital Technology and Transformation
SIG 5: Affordable and Sustainable Housing
SIG 6: Agriculture and Food Security
Venue: TBA
Sri Lanka’s recent economic journey has been marked by significant challenges, but also by bold reforms, renewed investor confidence, and a growing commitment to sustainable, future‑ready finance.
SIS1 examines how the country is reshaping its financial landscape – strengthening institutions, modernizing regulatory frameworks, and accelerating digital and green finance initiatives – to build a more resilient and competitive economy. The discussion will highlight how Sri Lanka’s experience offers valuable insights for development finance institutions across the region: from managing crisis recovery and restoring stability to mobilizing private capital, expanding SME support, and fostering innovation through fintech and digital banking. It will also explore how Colombo’s strategic position and emerging financial capabilities create new opportunities for regional collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange.
By spotlighting Sri Lanka’s transformation, this session invites delegates to view the host country not only through the lens of its challenges but also as a source of practical lessons, partnership potential, and shared regional opportunity.
Climate change demands urgent, coordinated action. This session will highlight innovative financing tools like blended finance, green bonds, and climate funds that enable institutions to expand climate-smart projects. It will feature partnerships promoting renewable energy adoption, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy initiatives. The discussion will emphasize how regional collaboration can unlock climate finance and secure fair transitions for vulnerable communities.
Digital technologies are reshaping how economies operate, creating new pathways for financial access, innovation, and competitiveness. This session examines how fintech partnerships, digital banking, and regional digital platforms can broaden inclusion – especially for underserved communities that remain outside the formal financial system. Strengthening cybersecurity, data governance, and digital literacy will be emphasized as essential foundations for trust in the digital economy. At the same time, the discussion will highlight how SMEs can use these digital tools to scale their operations, improve productivity, and connect with regional and global markets. Financing mechanisms, capacity-building programs, and market access initiatives will be showcased, along with the role of regional collaboration, trade agreements, and innovation hubs in accelerating SME growth. This session positions digital transformation as a catalyst for empowering SMEs and advancing more inclusive, sustainable economic development across the region
Prosperity must be inclusive to be sustainable. This discussion will highlight partnerships that ensure marginalized groups—such as women, youth, rural communities, and persons with disabilities—benefit from regional growth. It will showcase programs that promote financial inclusion, social protection, and equitable access to opportunities. The session will focus on how inclusive policies and collaborative efforts strengthen community resilience and foster shared prosperity.
