Jonathaniel Principe

My recent engagement after completing my PhD program in May 2012 was on food security, agriculture, natural resource, water and energy, and rural development in the Asian region at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Among my major tasks, I have conducted research and have regularly monitored various issues and policy developments particularly on food security for the region that support ADB development policy strategies particularly in poverty alleviation. Major initiatives that I was involved include the review of ADB’s food security operational plan and subsequent formulation of a successor document for this, application of multivariate statistical analysis (principal components, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis) in designing a food security index to monitor developments in the Asian region and the setting up of the database system of ADB’s food security investments for 2009-2013 (loans, grant and technical assistance projects) to name a few. Moreover, I have 15 years experience in public service with the Philippine government particularly in the areas of development planning and policy formulation. My stint at the country's premiere planning agency provided me the chance to develop and enhance my skills in applying economic theory and related quantitative methods in economic development and policy work. My work responsibilities included the task of heading the Macroeconomics Division and supervising a group of junior economists. These include providing regular reports on the economy, regular monitoring of economic issues and concerns, conduct of policy research and sensitivity analysis and formulation and implementation of externally funded research and capacity building projects related to economic policy.