Field of specialization:
- Management Development
- Strategic Planning
- Industrial Policy Formulation
- Investment Promotion
- Development Economics
- Social Economics,
- Business Economics
- Strategic Management
Professor Bernardo M. Villegas, Ph.D
The Research Director and one of the founders of CRC, Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas is one of the Philippines’ most eminent economists.
He has advised Philippine government administrations on industrial policy formulation and investment promotion since the 1970s, and his preeminence in the field even led to him being appointed as one of the delegates to the convention that framed the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.
Aside from being the CRC’s research director, he also serves as Professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and Visiting Professor of IESE Business School in Barcelona. He has written some of the Philippines’ most influential economics textbooks, used extensively in Philippine schools and universities. Over the years, he has also written a number of management best-sellers like The Philippine Advantage, Book of Virtues and Values, Productivity: Path to Global Competitiveness, The Filipino Phenomenon, The Philippines at the Threshold of the Third Millennium, and the Positive Dimensions of Population Growth.
He continues to work untiringly to promote investments in the Philippines, especially in the regions outside the National Capital Region, and is constantly guesting on investment road shows, briefing international audiences on the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region. And of course, in his continuing role as CRC’s research director, he faultlessly guides CRC in businesses all over the world as the research and consultancy link to Philippine business opportunities.
Field of specialization:
- Business and Industry Policy
- Competitive Strategy, and Business Sustainability
- Industry-based Policies
Winston Conrad B. Padojinog, D.B.A.
He is the President of the University of Asia and the Pacific, where he teaches industrial economics and strategic management. Always keeping in mind the interest of persons and institutions, he ensures that the curriculum of the executive program he teaches and his research, affiliations, and consultancy work revolve around the development of persons and of public and private institutions in the pursuit of the common good of society.
He is an adviser and consultant to several industry associations such as SEIPI and SHDA, government agencies, and corporations. His recent advocacies include the promotion of next-best practices in business sustainability programs and initiatives, closing the housing backlog in the Philippines, and the promotion of unity in and the growing wealth of family businesses. He is also the President of the Center for Research and Communication Foundation. Inc.
Field of specialization:
- International Economics
- Free Trade Areas
- The Services Trade
George N. Manzano, Ph.D.
He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of New South Wales, Australia and an MS in Economics from the Center for Research and Communication, the forerunner of the University of Asia and the Pacific. He graduated from the University of the Philippines with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. His research interests revolve mainly around issues in international economics such as free trade areas and trade policy.
Dr. Manzano once served as a Member Commissioner of the Philippines Tariff Commission. Likewise, he assumed the position of Economic Affairs Officer in the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in 2009-2010. He also served as the Director of the UA&P APEC Study Center and the Dean of the UA&P School of Economics.
Field of specialization:
- Energy Economics
- Industrial Economics
- Mathematical Economics
- Econometrics
Peter Lee U, Ph.D.
He is the Dean of the UA&P School of Economics. He holds a PhD in Economics from Purdue University (USA) and a Master of Science in Industrial Economics degree from UA&P. He earned an undergraduate degree in Industrial Management Engineering from the De La Salle University.
His primary research area has been in the Philippine energy sector. He was a member of the 2005 Independent Panel constituted by the Department of Energy (DOE) to review the Oil Deregulation Law. In 2008, he led a team to review the reasonableness of oil prices for the DOE. He has also served as a member of the Market Surveillance Committee of the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.
He served as president of the Philippine Economics Society in 2012 and has been a visiting researcher at the Nagoya University in Japan.
Field of specialization:
- Industry Roadmap Development
- Human Capital Development
- Regional and Urban Development and Industrial Economics
- Urban and Regional Growth Prospects
- Consumer Markets
Roberto de Vera, Ph.D.
Results-driven economist with a proven track record of translating complex economic theory into actionable insights for policymakers and businesses. Passionate about leveraging data and research to address societal challenges and improve the lives of marginalized communities.
As a consultant, he conducted briefings on Philippine urban markets, resulting in a 15% increase in annual revenues for various companies. He also co-investigated two studies on health workforce service capacities and client satisfaction with DOH hospitals for the UP National Institutes of Health in 2015, which helped guide the Department of Health’s budget allocation from taxes on cigarettes and sweetened beverages.
He served as the team manager for the Philippine Iron and Steel Industry Competitiveness Roadmap project for the Department of Trade and Industry in 2012. In 2014, he prepared a budget projection and identified city growth clusters for the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its surrounding areas, playing a key role in the completion of priority transport projects worth hundreds of billions of pesos.
Mr. De Vera also conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the shift to the K-12 education system, and audited the progress of several cities in implementing good governance measures as a Solidarity Missions member for the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).
Field of specialization:
- Sustainability
- Business and Human Rights
- Local Governance, and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting
Mr. Colin Legarde Hubo
He has 30 years of solid work experience and strong business network in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, presently a global ambassador of International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC-London) and a certified practitioner of GRI, , TCFD, SASB and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. He was elected as stakeholder council member of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI-Amsterdam) from 2007-2011 and presently as IIRC ambassador, he serves as business sustainability facilitator, adviser and content developer of top conglomerate, energy, mining, banking companies in the Philippines for their ESG, Sustainability Reports, Sustainability Plan/Roadmap, CSR, community resource mapping and baselining.
His past and present clients include GT Capital Holdings, First Philippine Holdings, San Miguel Corporation Global Power, SM Prime Holdings, DMCI Holdings, First Gen Corporation, Energy Development Corporation, Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Corporation, Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, San Roque Power Corporation, TEaM Energy Philipines, AES Philippines and Vietnam, TVI Mining, FCF Minerals, Landbank of the Philippines, Century Properties Group, Philippine National Bank. This is the offshoot for him to push for the issuance of mandatory non-financial reporting for publicly listed companies in the country.
Prior to ESG work, he was lead country consultant of IFC-WB project on CSR for mining, UK embassy project on alternative financing for local governments (LGUs), French Development Agency project on green financing for LGUs, business risk analyst of the London-based Control Risks, UN Women and RP’s Commission on Human Rights.
He obtained his Political Science degree from the University of the Philippines Visayas, master’s degree in Education from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), master’s degree (sans thesis) in Sociology from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He was a Fleishman fellow at the Sanford Institute of Public Policy of Duke University and enrolled in the Leadership and Management Executive Education Program of Wharton School.
Concurrently, he is the executive director of UA&P-Center for Social Responsibility (CSR), in charge of budget, management and directing CSR faculty members to deliver 3 sustainability courses for undergraduate & graduate students, credited in integrating sustainability in UA&P and starting an executive program on sustainability accredited by the SEC of the Philippines. Likewise, he provides overall oversight of the community extension program of UA&P to various low-income communities.
Institute for Local Development
Field of specialization:
- Strategy and Program Development
- Government Relations
- Project Design and Implementation
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Systems Strengthening and Organizational Development
Mr. Mir Shariff C. Tillah
Research Fellow at the Center for Research and Communication, and Director of the CRC Institute for Local Development. Concurrently Southeast Asia Regional Managing Partner for consulting firm Venturly Global.
Highly experienced development professional with over 30 years of expertise in international development and academia, and a robust record of fostering strategic partnerships, driving reform and innovation, and strengthening education systems and local organizations.
For almost two decades, served as USAID/Philippines’ Senior Education Advisor and led policy reform initiatives and implementation of programs at local, regional, and global stages in the areas of basic education, higher education, innovation, workforce development, youth development, and local governance.
Formerly senior faculty of the Institute of Political Economy of the University of Asia and the Pacific from 2000-2009 where he developed and taught master’s courses in Public Policy, Social Science Research Methods, Development, and Governance, and led the development and taught courses in the undergraduate “Citizenship” curriculum of the university.
Field of specialization:
- Local Economic Development
- Investment Policy
- MSME Development
- Inclusive Value Chain
- Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
Mr. Celso Alejo Enriquez
Mr. Enriquez has more than 20 years of professional experience in designing and managing donor-funded economic development projects in various regions in the Philippines. He occupied senior management positions with a major U.S.-based consulting firm (WSP USA/Louis Berger Group) contracted to implement various USAID-funded projects focusing on local economic growth and local regulatory reform (USAID Urban Connect), market connectivity, value chain and MSME development (USAID SURGE), post-crisis economic recovery (USAID Rebuild and SURGE Marawi Recovery Project) and local economic development, agribusiness expansion and market access (USAID GEM Program). He finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Field of specialization:
- Project Design and Management
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
- Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Energy
- Policy Research and Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
Ms. Joanne Dulce
Joanne Dulce is a development professional with over ten years of experience in the water, climate change, and energy sectors in the Philippines. Most recently, she served as a Project Management Specialist at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she led a portfolio of projects focused on enhancing water security and building climate resilience for vulnerable and underserved communities. She also managed a diverse number of projects on biodiversity and locally-led development
Before joining USAID, Joanne was a Senior Associate at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, advancing the School’s initiatives and policy advocacy on climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. In the early part of her career, she worked in donor-funded projects aimed at advancing energy sector reforms, and building the capacity of government energy agencies and electric distribution utilities.
Joanne holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines and a master’s degree in Public Management from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government.
Field of specialization:
- Digital Transformation
- ICT Governance & Enterprise Architecture
- Public Financial Management Systems
- Digital Health & National ID Systems
- Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure
- Public Policy & Regulatory Reform
- AI/ML Applications in Finance
- PPP & ICT-Enabled Development Programs
- Systems Integration & Government Modernization
- Data Strategy & Analytics
Mr. Emmanuel Rey “Manny” Caintic
“Emmanuel Rey “Manny” C. Caintic is a digital transformation and technology governance specialist with over two decades of experience spanning government, multilateral development projects, and enterprise ICT consulting. He served as Acting Secretary and Undersecretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), where he led key national initiatives in cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and the country’s COVID-19 digital response, including the Vaccine Information Management System.
He is currently engaged as a Digital Health Consultant for UNOPS under the Bangladesh Digital Health initiative and provides advisory support to the High-Quality Immunization (HiQi) Project in Sri Lanka. Manny also serves as a consultant on major government ICT modernization programs, including the Credit Information Corporation (CIC) and STRADCOM/LTO, focusing on systems integration, IT governance, cloud adoption, and agile delivery frameworks.
Manny’s experience includes leading and advising technology modernization efforts in agencies such as DBM, BTr, BIR, SEC, GSIS, Pag-IBIG, and NHMFC, particularly in public financial management, digital identity, and enterprise architecture. He is also active in the private sector through fintech and systems integration ventures, providing strategic guidance on digital ecosystems, AI/ML applications, and data-driven innovation.
He holds a Master in Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific, and dual degrees in Physics and Computer Engineering from Ateneo de Manila University. Manny also teaches advanced courses in Financial Econometrics and AI/ML in Finance at Saint Louis University School of Advanced Studies.”
Field of specialization:
- Infrastructure Policy, Planning, and Development
- Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) and Procurement Reform
- Mining Initiatives
- Macroeconomics, Regional economics, and Economic forecasting
- Logistics, Supply Chain, and Food Security Systems
- eCommerce, Trade Policy, and Industry Roadmaps
- Urban and Regional Planning, with focus on Transportation Planning
- Tourism Development and Convergence Infrastructure
- Legislative and Regulatory Drafting
- Research Management, Program Leadership, and Stakeholder Coordination
- Corporate Training and Executive Education for Government and Private Sector Leaders
Mr. Ronilo M. Balbieran
Ronilo M. Balbieran is an economist, licensed urban and regional planner, and part-time faculty member at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), teaching macroeconomics, regional economics, data analytics, and forecasting to senior business leaders from both government and private sectors. He is also Vice President and Head of Research at the REID Foundation, Inc., leading USAID- and government-funded projects on infrastructure, PPPs, procurement, logistics, tourism, and international trade. He is the founder and president of a small consulting company, ARSOKOS Corporation, where they deliver economic advise and trainings for corporations and small businesses.
From 2023–2025, he served as Infrastructure and Mining Specialist under the USAID-UPPAF-RESPOND Project, leading teams in drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the New PPP Code and the New Government Procurement Act, and in implementing responsible mining initiatives with multiple national government agencies and the two mining industry associations. He has also been a senior consultant to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), co-authoring the eCommerce Philippines 2022 Roadmap, advocating the Internet Transactions Act, writing the Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap 2020-2030, and facilitated the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector Jobs Blueprint 2025-2030.
His previous roles include Infrastructure Team Leader for the USAID DELIVER Project (2019–2023), where he advanced digital transformation in the construction licensing process, supported major PPP and infrastructure policy reforms, and facilitated strategic logistics and food security programs.
He holds a Masters in Industrial Economics from UA&P, completed executive certificates in Business Analytics (Wharton) and Digital Transformation in Government (Harvard Kennedy School), and is a Ph.D. candidate in Urban and Regional Planning (Transportation Planning) at the University of the Philippines–Diliman.
Field of specialization:
- Development Planning
- Public Policy and Administration
- Project Development
- Program Management
- Regulatory Reforms
- Development Communications
Arlene P. Donaire
Arlene is a senior development specialist with extensive experience delivering policy, regulatory, and institutional reforms through USAID-, World Bank–, and AusAID-supported programs in the Philippines. She most recently served as Deputy Chief of Party for the six-year USAID-funded Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (RESPOND), managing the backend efforts of technical advisory initiatives to strengthen competition policy and advance national regulatory reform (2019–2025). Previously, she served as Team Leader/Advisor for the Infrastructure and Electricity Component of USAID’s Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) Project under The Asia Foundation (2013–2018) and earlier coordinated the World Bank’s Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study (2012).
Arlene brings more than two decades of experience as an applied economist, development planner, program manager, governance advisor, and communications specialist across the energy, environment, transport, and agriculture sectors. She has supported national and local governments in policy development, capacity building, financial management, and institutional strengthening, and has held key roles in both public and government corporate institutions. Beyond her professional work, she enjoys travel, photography, and community advocacy.
Field of specialization:
- Community Development
- Renewable Energy Project Development
- Environmental and Social Impact Analysis
- Energy Audit
Enrique M. Gallardo, Jr.
Mr. Gallardo offers decades of field experience, technical expertise, and team leadership in community development as pursued in the context of livelihoods, renewable energy, environmental compliance, and stakeholder engagement. He possesses direct experience on community-based renewable energy projects (solar PV, small wind, biogas, micro-hydro, hybrids) as applied to productive use and social services such as potable water supply and irrigation, food milling and semi-processing, and post-harvest and cold storage facilities. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Development (specializing in agricultural economics), with graduate degrees in Master of Science in Renewable Energy Systems and Master of Development Communication.
Mr. Gallardo is currently studying PhD Philippine Studies (major in Geography), with a research focus on the global energy transition and its impact on Indigenous domains. Through the years, Mr. Gallardo has led teams working with various sectors including civil society organizations, subcontractors, corporations, grantees, communities, local government units, and national government agencies. He is currently engaged in various consultancy projects on applied energy research, micro-grid project development, environmental and social impact analysis, and energy audit. Mr. Gallardo is also currently teaching Concepts and Principles of Land Use at the Department of Geography at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Field of specialization:
- Conservation Finance
- Strategic Partnerships
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
- Enterprise Development
- Program Management
John Kevin D.G. Benico
Kevin currently serves as the Operations Director at the CRC Institute for Local Development. He is a resource economist with over 15 years of experience in the development sector, particularly in economic research, public policy, strategic partnership development, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity development. Over the years, he has worked with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams of specialists to provide technical assistance in developing and implementing initiatives on natural resource management, conservation finance mechanisms, digital connectivity, and capacity development for local organizations.
He previously worked as Partnership Specialist under the USAID-funded Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) where he facilitated collaborations to improve digital access and connectivity to foster local economic growth, and at the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program focusing on the conservation of key biodiversity areas. He also worked as Partnership Officer at the Corporate Relations and Communications Department of Energy Development Corporation (EDC) where he helped coordinate and implement national and site-level partnerships for corporate social responsibility programs, contributing to the company’s regenerative agenda.
The Research and Communication Partner of University of Asia and the Pacific
