Emma M. Escover
Having graduated at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos with a focus on agricultural economics (Candidate, Masters in Agricultural Economics), Emma M. Escover started a career in research, first, at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Laguna, then at the research office of Ateneo de Naga College. In the latter, she was involved in studies conducted for the Bicol River Basin Development Project (BRBDP) and she also taught basic economics and agricultural economics subjects. Her career in research continued – economics studies in aquaculture and fisheries upon joining the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), now known internationally as World Fish. As a researcher, she attended/participated in a number of international conferences and seminars including those held in Hawaii, USA and Bangkok, Thailand.
In 1986, Emma joined the Center for Policy and Development Studies (CPDS) of the University of the Philippines Los Banos where her work in management, coordination and public affairs began. Her primary task was to handle the administrative, coordination, and logistics for a Task Force composed of the CPDS and the Philippine Institute for the Development Studies (PIDS) that drafted the Short Term Plan for the then Ministry of Agriculture headed by Minister Mitra and deputy Minister Dominguez (the current Secretary of Finance).
Her expertise in office management and public affairs; administrative and finance; training, conference and program coordination; and logistics were honed and strengthened by long and continuous involvement in various development projects on fisheries and environment. She worked with US companies – International Resources Group, Ltd. (IRG) and Tetra Tech EM, Inc. – which implemented the USAID-funded projects Environmental and Natural Resources Accounting Project (ENRAP) and FISH Project, respectively.
Her direct involvement in management and administration of a number of environment-related projects continued with her affiliation with the Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Inc. (REECS) as an In-House consultant.
Currently, she is an active member and officer of three non-profit professional organizations, namely: Vice President for Luzon, Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SWAPP); Treasurer, Resource and Environmental Economics Foundation of the Philippines Incorporated (REAP); and Vice President, Institute of Management Consultant of the Philippines (IMPHIL).