Deputy Director-General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) March 2012-June 2018.

 

The IRRI is the premier global scientific research organization focused on rice productivity, rice farmer welfare, nutrition and consumer health, and rice-based food security.  Responsible for IRRI’s corporate thrusts and programs in communication, partnerships, and fund-raising, and legal as well as political affairs.  Supports the governance, oversight, decision-making, and activities of the IRRI Board of Trustees.  Managed the Institute’s continuing and deep engagement with a wide range of international donors, stakeholders, governments, and inter-governmental organizations (especially Ministries of Agriculture, rice research and extension agencies, UN, and ASEAN) of all rice-growing and consuming countries. Since 2013, served as Chair of the Overall Organizing Committee of the International Rice Congress (IRC) – the world’s largest conference focused at rice science, research, and industry.

 

Secretary to the Board of Trustees, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) March 2012-June 2018.

 

Co-Chair, Advisory Committee, international Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP), October 2015-June 2018.

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Chair, Organizing Committee, International Rice Congresses (IRC) – Bangkok 2014, and Singapore 2018.

 

Adjuct Professor, College of Economics and Management (CEM), and College of Public Affairs (CPAf), University of the Philippines at Los Banos, since June 2013.

 

Country Representative, The Asia Foundation, Afghanistan.  April 2011 – March 2012.  Led and directed the largest country program of The Asia Foundation, with about 400 staff and an annual budget in excess of U.S.$40 million.  Based in Kabul, represented The Asia Foundation in engagements with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the international aid community, and the diplomatic corps.  Had overall responsibility for program quality and fiduciary accountability to The Foundations’ Trustees, donors, and clients.

 

Chief Economist, and Director of Economic Reform and Development Programs, The Asia Foundation HQ, San Francisco, USA. March 2007 to June 2011. Led The Asia Foundation’s programs in economic reform and development across 18 countries and TAF field offices. Provided overall technical guidance to economics field staff and projects, including those focused on the Economic Governance Index (EGI), public-private dialogue, regulatory reform, partnership and coalition-building for reform, and the political economy of policy reform. Led design of economics projects across The Foundation and engages in policy dialogue with clients and partners. Overall stewardship over a multi-year economics projects portfolio averaging US$15M per year, with funds raised from bilateral, multilateral as well as private donors. Undertook intensive travel and field work through the Asia of up to 60% of work time. Served as Country Representative, a.i. for Afghanistan (February-March 2009), Pakistan (May-June 2009) and Sri Lanka (October 2008). Led The Asia Foundation’s efforts in aid effectiveness, including The Foundation’s participation in the series of High Level Forums (HLF) and preparations for HLF4 in November 2011 in Korea.  Presidential Awardee for Extraordinary Program Leadership, 2007-2008.

 

Economics Advisor, Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), 2010 – 2011.

 

Senior Technical Adviser (Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, and Sustainable Livelihoods), Southeast Asia and Pacific Region, Catholic Relief Services (CRS SEAPRO), based in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

 

Senior Economic Policy Adviser, Supreme National Economic Council (SNEC), Office of the Prime Minister, Cambodia. Asian Development Bank Project TA3721-CAM: Support for National Economic Policy Management, Jun 2002 - Jul 2004.

 

Deputy Minister, Policy, Planning, and International Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, Philippines, Sept 1989 - Aug 1992.

 

Executive Director (rank of Deputy Minister), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Philippines, Mar 1987-Aug 1989

 

Assistant Minister, Planning and Monitoring, Ministry of Agriculture, Philippines, June 1988-August 1989.

 

Deputy Program Manager, CARERE - Cambodia Area Rehabilitation and Regeneration (Sept 1994 - June 1996], Cambodia Resettlement and Reintegration [Jan - June 1996] Program, UNDP / UN Office for Project Services, Cambodia.

 

Program Coordinator, Somalia Rehabilitation Program, UNDP-UNOPS, Somalia, January to April 1994.

 

Team Leader/ International Agricultural Policy Consultant, TCP/MYA/2902: Support for Integration of Myanmar’s Agriculture into ASEAN, Food and Agriculture Organization and Government of Myanmar, Apr 2003-May 2005.

 

Consultant, Preparation of ADB Cambodia Country Strategy and Program (CSP) 2005-2009, ADB, Nov 2003-Sep 2004

 

Country Poverty and Governance Specialist, Assessment of Implementation of Policy Reforms in Cambodia, part of Cambodia Country Strategy and Program 2005-2009, Asian Development Bank, Apr 2003-May 2004.

 

Consultant, Alternative Livelihoods to Opium Cultivation, Multi-Donor Appraisal Mission to Myanmar, Food and Agriculture Organization, May-June 2004.

 

Deputy Team Leader/ Economist, Cavendish Banana Investment Missions to Cambodia and Myanmar, consortium of Philippines and China Investors, 2003.

 

Team Leader/ Grains Policy Specialist, Grains Policy and Institutional Reforms Advisory Technical Assistance Project (TA 3429-PHI), Asian Development Bank and Departments of Agriculture and Finance, Philippines. Nov 2000–May 2002.

 

International Agricultural Policy Consultant, Preparation of Maldives Country Presentation to World Food Summit:5 Years Later, UN FAO and Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, September 2001.

 

Team Leader/ International Agriculture Policy Consultant, Commodity Analysis for Integration of Myanmar’s Agriculture into ASEAN, UN FAO and Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, April – May 2001.

 

Chief Technical Adviser, Technical Working Group, Agricultural Bureaucracy Restructuring Task Force, Department of Agriculture, Philippines. December 1999 – December 2000.

 

Team Leader, Agriculture and Rural Development Team, Presidential Committee on Effective Governance, Office of the President and Department of Budget and Management, Philippines, January-December 2000.

 

President, Serendipity Import-Export, Philippines, 1998-present.

 

Chief Technical Adviser/ International Agricultural Policy Consultant, UN FAO and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam, TCP8821: Competitive Agriculture in ASEAN Project, September 1999-October 2000.

 

Chief Technical Adviser, Technical Assistance on Participatory Planning and Public Investment Programming Project, Department of Agriculture, Philippines, August 1999 – December 2000.

 

Planning Specialist/ Advisor, Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur/ Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Philippines, esp. on Provincial Food Security and Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan, November 1998-present.

 

Team Leader/ Development Planning Specialist, Institutional Capacity Building for Policy Formulation, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation for Agriculture (TA2733-PHI), Dept of Agriculture Philippines and ADB, July 1997–April 1999.

 

Agricultural Issues Expert, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Trade and Investment Policy Analysis and Advocacy Support Project (TAPS-USAID), Philippines, May 1999-present.

 

Consultant, Sugar Sector Development, Export Development Council and TAPS-USAID, Philippines, Feb – June 1999.

 

Consultant, Agricultural Sector Policy Reforms, Foundation for Economic Freedom and TAPS-USAID, Philippines, Apr-Jun 1999

 

Consultant, WinRock International, Indonesia Rural-Urban Linkages Project, Asian Development Bank, Feb-Mar 1999.

 

Project/ Program Management and Evaluation Specialist, Capacity Building for the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Gov’t of Viet Nam, ADB, Netherlands and Asian Institute of Management, Hanoi, July 1996-June 1997.

 

Consultant, UNDP-UNOPS, Cambodia Resettlement and Reintegration (CARERE) Program, Sept – Nov. 1994.

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Senior Economic Policy Advisor to the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao, supported by the Department of Agriculture/ USAID, Philippines. August to September 1994

 

Deputy Leader, Asian Development Bank "Agricultural Development Options Review for Cambodia", April-Aug. 1994.

 

International Expert, UN Development Programme, PRODERE/ Post-Conflict Rehabilitation in Central America (El Salvador and Guatemala), January -February 1994.

 

Fellow, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), July 1992 - March 1994.

 

Research Fellow, Institute for Developing Economies, Ministry of Int’l Trade and Industry, Tokyo, January -May, 1993.

 

Senior Associate, "Assessment of the Coconut Industry", Philippine Coconut Authority, National Economic and Development Authority and Australian Council for International Agricultural Research, October 1992-January 1994.

 

Consultant, Asian Development Bank, "Sector Loan Program: Viet Nam Bank for Agriculture," Nov-Dec 1993.

 

Consultant, Asian Development Bank "Philippines Agricultural Sector Strategy Review”, September-November, 1993.

 

Economics and Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, April 1993 to January 1994.

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Senior Policy Advisor to the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao, June-December 1993 (Agricultural Policy, Research and Advocacy Assistance Program, University of the Philippines at Los Banos and USAID).  

 

Team Leader/ Agricultural Economist, Asian Development Bank Post-Evaluation Unit, "Evaluation of the First NGO Microcredit Program - Part 1", Philippines.  July-September, 1993.

 

Consultant, "Agro-Industrial Restructuring and Competitiveness Program," National Economic and Development Authority and the United Nations Development Program, Philippines, May - December, 1993.

 

Consultant, "The Political Economy of Public Enterprises," Project, World Bank, April - September, 1993.

 

Policy Advisor, "Policy Impact Conference: Feed and Livestock" Department of Agriculture/ USAID, 1993.

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Consultant, "Implementation of Agricultural Policy Reforms," International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington D.C. August 1992 –December 1993.

 

Advisor, World Resources Institute (WRI), “Project on the Economics of Sustainable Agriculture,” 1990-1991.

 

National Project Director,  “Impact of Structural Adjustment on Agriculture and Rural Development", Philippines Department of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization, April 1991 - December 1993.

 

Consultant on Agriculture and Agribusiness,  "Private Sector Development Study", World Bank, Oct.-Nov. 1992.

 

Consultant, "Livelihood Project for Mongolia", Asian Development Bank, October to November, 1992.

 

Consultant, "The East Asian Miracle" Project, World Bank, September to November 1992.

 

Leader, "APEX Project/ Technical Change in Agriculture, Income Distribution and Economic Policy," Department of Agriculture, Australian National University and Australian Council for Int’l Agricultural Research, July 1989-Sept 1992.

 

Policy Specialist, Indonesia Integrated Pest Management.  Food and Agriculture Organization, May - Jun 1992.

 

Country Expert, "Agribusiness Development Policy and Strategy," ASEAN Agricultural Development Planning Center (Bangkok) and the Food and Agricultural Organization, August 1990 to June 1992.

 

Economist, "Economics of Integrated Social Forestry," Food and Agricultural Organization, May to November 1990.

 

Rural Finance Expert, "Agricultural/ Economic Restructuring of Vietnam," Food and Agriculture Organization and UN Development Program, Mar-Aug 1990.

 

Economist, "The Impact of Low Export Prices on Agriculture" Project, UN ESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand, 1989.

 

Principal Investigator and Project Leader, "Rural Savings Mobilization" Project, Ohio State University and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council - Philippines, August 1986 - December 1989.

 

Rural Finance Policy Expert, "International Course on Rural Financial Markets," German Foundation for International Development, Manila, November 1988.

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Agricultural Credit Expert, Sorsogon (Philippines) Integrated Area Dev’t Project, Asian Development Bank, 1988.

 

Policy Coordination Fellow, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, January 1987 - June 1988.

 

Planning Expert, "Framework for Agricultural Policy and Development Planning for the Philippines Department of Agriculture," Food and Agricultural Organization, 1987.

 

Agricultural Credit Expert, "Agricultural Credit Policies/Programs Asian  Countries," Asian Development Bank, 1987.

 

Senior Consultant, Rural Bank Review Program, Monetary Board, Philippines Central Bank, Sept 1986 - Dec 1987.

 

Policy Coordination Fellow, Center for Policy and Development Studies of the University of the Philippines at Los Banos and the WINROCK Foundation, September 1986 - December 1987.

 

Adviser on Rural Finance Policies and Programs, Minister of Agriculture, Philippines, October 1986-March 1987.

 

Publisher/ Editor in Chief, Editorial Services Philippines, 1980-82

 

Project Evaluation Specialist, "An Evaluation of Rural Development Projects in Eastern Visayas and the Cordilleras, Philippines," OXFAM ENGLAND and the Philippine Business for Social Progress Foundation, June-August 1982.

 

Manager, Luzon Operations Unit, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Foundation, July 1980 - April 1981.

 

Director, Center for Rural Technology Development (CRTD), PBSP Foundation,  August 1980 - April 1981.

 

Assistant Manager, Luzon Operations, PBSP, Foundation, January - June 1980.

 

Director, Dansalan College Community Extension Service, Marawi City, Philippines, May 1974 - December 1979.

 

Team Leader, Northern Luzon Action Team, Medium and Small-Scale Industries Coordinated Action Program (MASICAP) Department of Trade and Industry/ Development Academy of the Philippines, June 1973 - May 1974.

 

Assistant Team Leader, Northern Luzon, Medium and Small Scale Industries Coordinated Action Program (MASICAP), Development Academy of the Philippines, Oct. 1972 - May 1973.

 

Tourism Aide, Office of the Director of Tourism, Baguio City, Philippines, December 1971 to September 1972.

 

Case Study Writer, Asian Regional Hawker Study, International Development Research Center of Canada and the University of the Philippines Institute of Social Work and Community Development, 1972.

 

Front Desk Manager, Inn Rocio, Baguio City, Philippines, April - November 1971.

 

Interviewer/Enumerator, Planning and Research Staff, Development Board, Baguio City, Philippines, 1971.