Victorino Aquitania
Regional Director
Vic serves as the Regional Director of ICLEI Southeast Asia. He brings more than three decades of professional experience working with local governments in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand on various urban development issues. He manages a team of experts and consultants within the Southeast Asia region--dealing with urban development issues focusing on environmental sustainability. Vic works directly with external support agencies and national governments to develop and deploy ICLEI's Pathways and advocacy in the region. During his career as a civil servant and as Regional Director, he has been involved in more than 30 international projects. Prior to joining ICLEI, he has worked with the City Government of Baguio as Project Development Officer and Development Management Officer in the local planning department, particularly working on urban planning focusing on environmental and socio-economic sustainability.
Areas of Expertise: Sustainable Development, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Institutional and Policy Development, International Cooperation, Project Development, Urban Planning and Law
Education: M.A. Public Administration; Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science in Forestry
Mary Jane Alvarez
Regional Program Manager
Jane's demonstrated expertise is gathered from working in the development sector for more than a decade with particular focus in the area of sustainability, climate change, environment, and natural resources. In ICLEI SEAS, she assists the Regional Director in developing, strategizing, and overseeing the implementation of programs and projects under the different portfolio across Southeast Asia. She provides technical advice and strategic guidance in the design and delivery of project activities. She manages program and project teams to ensure efficiency and initiate collaboration among the team and external partners.
Prior to joining ICLEI, she served as OIC-Supervising Economic Development Specialist of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). She had extensive training and involvement on the conduct of national and sectoral development planning, policy review, and investment programming to achieve the country’s development objectives particularly on climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable development, and the environment sector.
Areas of expertise: national and sectoral development planning, policy review, investment programming, climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable development
Education:
- Master of Science in Sustainability, United Nations University (UNU) and University of Tokyo (UTokyo)
- Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, major in Human Settlements Planning, University of the Philippines Los Baños (cum laude)
Zenaida Ranario-Tagolino
Operations Manager
Zeny joined ICLEI in 2005 as the Administrative and Finance officer. Prior to working with ICLEI, she was an Administrative Assistant in a real estate company and a Reservation Officer in a travel agency for two and a half years. She has been trained in different areas including logistics preparation, financial reporting to funders for various projects, and administrative support in the organization’s operations.
Areas of Expertise: Administration and finance
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Philippines (formerly Divine Word College-Tagbilaran)
Alfredo Bernarte
Areas of Expertise: project management, project monitoring, and evaluation (M&E), administration, community engagement, participatory capacity, and vulnerability assessment
Education:
- Master of Public Management, University of the Philippines
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman
Joy Camille Baldo
Senior Project Officer
Joy is a Development Communicator currently serving as ICLEI SEAS' Senior Project Officer. She is highly involved in all stages of project development and implementation on various themes of sustainable development including: mainstreaming climate change into local development plans; prioritization and implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies in partnership with key stakeholders; highlighting the role of the youth and women sector in climate action; and facilitating vertical integration, among others. She also organizes training workshops and capacity building on climate change for Philippine cities and provides support to ICLEI annual regional events such as the Resilient Cities Asia Pacific (RCAP) Congress, Integrated Resource Management in Asian Cities: Urban Nexus Regional Workshops and the Asia LEDS Forum. She leads the development and packaging of knowledge products such as proceedings, reports, case studies on local adaptation strategies and integrated resource management, and information manuals on climate change. Prior to joining ICLEI in 2014, she served as an Ecosystems Management Specialist and Science Research Specialist for the Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI).
She is also a UN SDSN Local Pathways Fellow, a network of young thought leaders, urban planners, sustainability advocates, researchers and innovators from more than 50 cities across the world to advance local dialogue, collaboration and problem solving around the Sustainable Development Goals and to make cities and urban settlements “smart, fair and sustainable”.
Areas of Expertise: project development and management, climate change action, urban resilience, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stakeholder engagement, strategic communication
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños
- Certificate in Project Development and Management, University of the Philippines Diliman
- Certificate of Proficiency with Distinction, Sustainable Cities, SDG Academy
Pamela Cabacungan
Senior Project Officer – Mitigation
Pam handles the conceptualization and implementation of climate change mitigation projects. She also supports local governments in the region in utilizing the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting Platform, a reporting tool for local climate actions being managed by ICLEI and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). She handles the capacity building training for cities and municipalities, particularly those which are focused on climate change science and the Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG Emissions Inventory (GPC). As such, she also provides technical assistance in conducting city-level GHG inventory for numerous Philippine cities. She is the cCR focal for Southeast Asia; responsible for the management, coordination, training, and technical support concerning the platform.
Areas of Expertise: climate change mitigation, GHG inventory, project management, climate advocacy
Education:
- Masters in Environmental Planning (ongoing), Miriam College, Philippines
- BS Environmental Planning and Management major in Corporate Environmental Management, Miriam College, Philippines
Ricardo Marfiga, Jr.
Senior Project Officer – Membership, Governance, Partnerships, and Special Projects
Ric oversees ICLEI SEAS’ membership and governance operation, recruitment, and services to local governments in the region. He also handles partnerships with various organizations including the implementation of projects in climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and the sustainable development agenda. He also serves as the coordinator for local and international activities. Prior to his work in ICLEI, Ric is part of the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD) of the Quezon City Government as an Industrial Inspector which ensures the business sector's compliance to environmental laws of the City. He also served as a Planning and Research Assistant- evaluating project proposals from different institutions to be implemented in the City.
Areas of Expertise: Climate change mitigation and adaptation, DRRM, GHG
Education:
- BS Electronics and Communications Engineering, University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines
Anna Dominique Ortiz
Project Officer – Energy and the Built Environment
- Master of Science in International Cooperation Policy, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan
- Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Jose Bernardo Gochoco III, EnP
Project Officer – Adaptation
BJ has been working with local governments in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction and management through various development assistance projects funded by international organizations. Most notable is his work in Guiuan, Eastern Samar where he assisted in the formulation of their recovery and rehabilitation plan and ecological profile after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the municipality.
In ICLEI, BJ oversees the implementation and monitoring of various climate change adaptation and mitigation projects of the organization. He performs the technical aspects of providing capacity building activities to local governments units. He is also a licensed Environmental Planner.
Areas of Expertise: Urban planning, climate change adaptation, climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction and management, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), area profiling, Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Vulnerability & Risk Assessments
Education:
- Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines Diliman
- Bachelor of Science in Economics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Renz Homer Cerillo
Project Officer – Sustainability Management
- Bachelor of Science in Development Communication, Major in Science Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Val Bugnot
Communications Specialist
Val is a development communication practitioner with a background in social forestry, community-based resource management, and community organizing. At ICLEI, she is responsible for developing and implementing the organization's communication plan aimed to expand ICLEI SEAS' clout and engagement in the region. She also develops and implements targeted communication campaigns released through both offline and online streams.
With the goal of bringing ICLEI's advocacy closer to local governments in Southeast Asia, Val represents the organization during networking events, exhibits, and conventions. She also leads the communications work and event coverage during ICLEI annual events such as the Resilient Cities Asia Pacific Forum and Asia LEDS Forum.
At present, Val handles the citizen engagement strategies implemented for Ambitious City Promises in key cities in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam--ensuring that the needs of citizens and stakeholders are at the core of policies and programs towards low emission development.
Prior to joining ICLEI, she has worked with various communities in the Philippines to help document their resiliency initiatives and stories--scaling these up to help influence local policies and development frameworks.
In her spare time, Val pursues stories of community-based solutions to address climate change and has published articles focusing on environmental policy, blue carbon solutions, and renewable energy in local and international media outlets.
Areas of Expertise: strategic communication, community organizing, digital campaigning, journalism, brand activation
Education:
- Master of Community Development (ongoing), University of the Philippines Diliman
- BS Development Communication major in Development Journalism, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Cheng Pagulayan, EnP
Communications Officer
Cheng is a development communication practitioner and environmental planner with specialization on gender mainstreaming and development planning. He is involved in visual design and digital communications of ICLEI SEAS’ online and offline communication platforms. He also assists in monitoring and maintenance of digital channels, and content gathering for offline and online media. He is involved in the implementation and management of the Ambitious City Promises Project in the Philippines particularly in the development and implementation of citizen engagement-related activities.
He has been involved in project appraisal, implementation, and management in his previous job as Development Management Officer at the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines and as Project Assistant at the College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños.
Areas of expertise: climate change communication, gender and development, development planning, visual design, development communication
Education:
- Master of Arts in Women and Development (ongoing), University of the Philippines Diliman
- Bachelor of Science in Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Kristianne Jemi Santos
Local Government Associate
- Masters in Environmental Planning, Miriam College
- BS Environmental Planning and Management Major in Urban Planning and Green
Architecture, Miriam College
Katrina Toliongco
Project Assistant
- Masters in Environmental Planning, Miriam College
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning and Management Major in Urban Planning and Green Architecture, Miriam College
Kenneth Bernard Hizon, EnP
Project Assistant
- Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology major in Human Settlements Planning, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Russel Andrade
Project Assistant
Russel also actively engages in voluntary works related to environmental conservation and protection, health, and good governance. Recently, he completed his training as a Climate Reality Leader through the Climate Reality Project. He was trained by former US Vice President and founder of the Climate Reality, Al Gore.
- Bachelor of Science in Geography, University of the Philippines Diliman
Jennifer Maducdoc
Accounting Assistant
Jeng underwent systematic capacity building and mentoring on financial and administrative management organized by her previous organizations, partner NGOs, and funding partners. At ICLEI, Jeng supports the Administrative and Finance Officer in all financial matters of the organization.
Edu Virata
Administrative Assistant
Edu joined ICLEI in 2018 and he is primarily concerned with assisting the administration and finance team in managing the office's day-to-day operations. He assists the whole team with matters of logistics.
Indonesia Office
Ari Mochamad
Country Manager
Ari serves as the Country Manager of ICLEI Indonesia. He is an Environmental and Climate Governance expert with 24 years of research and advocacy experience in the fields of environmental policy, climate change adaptation (CCA), and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Indonesia. He has extensive experience working with international development projects and coordinating with government partners at the local and national levels. In the last 15 years, Ari has focused on building awareness of the importance of CCA and mainstreaming CCA into the programming and budgeting of local governments from the provincial level down to the village level.Ari serves as the Country Manager of ICLEI Indonesia. He is an Environmental and Climate Governance expert with 24 years of research and advocacy experience in the fields of environmental policy, climate change adaptation (CCA), and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Indonesia. He has extensive experience working with international development projects and coordinating with government partners at the local and national levels. In the last 15 years, Ari has focused on building awareness of the importance of CCA and mainstreaming CCA into the programming and budgeting of local governments from the provincial level down to the village level.
Prior to joining ICLEI, he has worked as Advisor for Climate Adaptation Governance on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Project (USAID Adaptasi Perubahan Iklim dan Ketangguhan (APIK)). He focused on activities related to Climate Adaptation Governance on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Programs. Through all preparations of policy and technical instruments and the involvement of stakeholders on the National level and three other provincial-level including East Java, Southeast Sulawesi, and Maluku.
Area of Expertise: climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, environmental policy, resilience programs, government relations, international relations, project developments.
Education:
- Doctor of Environmental Science, University of Indonesia
Selamet Daroyni
Senior Project Officer – Ambitious City Promises
Selamet has nearly 15 years of experience in advocating environmental conservation and climate change in urban areas, focusing on air quality issues, waste management, green open spaces, and sustainable transportation. He served as the Director of the Indonesian Forum for Environment, Jakarta Region from 2000-2009. He was heavily involved in passing the legislation for waste management in Indonesia. Due to his efforts, he was appointed as the members of the Board of Directors and Considerations of National Waste Management. The board's task is to give advise and input to the Minister of Environment and Forestry for waste management programs implemented in Indonesia.
He joined ICLEI in 2015, handling climate change adaptation and mitigation projects. He was the lead for the ACCCRN (Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network) in 10 cities and OPCC (One Planet City Challenge; was Earth Hour City Challenge) project since 2016. At the moment, he is supporting the implementation of the Ambitious City Promises program, working with DKI Jakarta (national capital), Bekasi, and Tangerang City.
Areas of Expertise: climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency, waste management, local government, community engagement, climate advocacy
Education:
- BSc in Syariah Law (UIN Syarif in Hidayatullah, Indonesia)
- Social Capacity Development and Environment Management and Policy Evaluation Training (Hiroshima University, Japan)
Muhammad Saladin Islami
Project Officer – 100% Renewable Energy
Saladin is a Project Officer at ICLEI Indonesia with background in renewable and sustainable energy. At ICLEI, Saladin is responsible for managing and implementing the IKI-funded 100% RE project in Indonesia.
Prior to joining ICLEI, Saladin has over three years of experience in the energy sector, both in the industry and academe. He has experience in conducting studies for the development of a framework for renewable energy implementation in Indonesia, performing energy efficiency projects for city councils, conducting environmental impact assessments, and capturing new venture opportunities.
Areas of Expertise: Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Carbon Management, Climate Change Mitigation, Research
Education:
- Master of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Murdoch University, Australia
- MSc in Geophysical Engineering, Institute of Technology Bandung, Indonesia
- BSc in Geophysical Engineering, Institute of Technology Bandung, Indonesia
Rika Lumban Gaol
Project Officer – Urban-LEDS II
At ICLEI, Rika works closely with the Project Coordinator in assisting the planning, management, and implementation of the Urban-LEDS II activities in Indonesia including coordination work with cities, national ministries, and other relevant stakeholders. In addition, perform administrative management support for effective project implementation in coordination with the Country Manager to ensure the timely accomplishment of project deliverables.
Areas of Expertise: climate change mitigation, carbon footprint, GHG emissions reduction, GHG audit, and energy security.
- Master of Defense major in Energy Security, Indonesia Defense University, Indonesia
- Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, University of Sriwijaya, Indonesia
Dhyanayu Luthfia Almitra
Membership and Communications Officer
Prior to joining ICLEI Indonesia, Dhyan has worked as Communications in Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE), a non-profit organization that focused on gender equality and empowering women economically, promote female-friendly working environment, and advocate for women into leadership positions.
Areas of Expertise: social media campaign, article writings, journalism, event management, photography
- Master of Communication Science in Corporate Communications, University of Indonesia
- Bachelor of Communication Science, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia
Happy Tiara Asvita
Project Assistant – Ambitious City Promises
Prior to joining ICLEI, Happy worked as a Junior Planner at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. She worked with the spatial planning and strategic area of economic teams to provide a comprehensive analysis in formulating policy recommendations for accelerating the implementation of infrastructure and strategic economic projects.
Area of Expertise: Urban Planning and Development, Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change Action Plan, Policy Analysis.
- MSc in Urban Management and Development, with specialization in Urban Environment, Sustainability, and Climate Change - Institute for Housing and Urban Development (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherland
- BSc in Urban and Regional Planning – Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia
Emy Aditya P.S
Project Assistant – 100% RE
Prior to joining ICLEI, Emy used to work as a Project Engineer of Solar PV in People Centered Economic and Business Institute (IBEKA), an NGO that concerns in developing RE projects in communities. She conducted planning, implementing, and monitoring of Solar PV projects in some communities in East Java, Indonesia. Being a renewable energy and sustainable development expert is one of her professional goals.
Area of Expertise: Renewable energy research and project development, stakeholder engagement, community development.
- Australia Short Term Award - Renewable Energy Technology for Eastern Indonesia, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
- Bachelor of Science in Physics Instrumentation and Electronics, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Indonesia
Adhia Tegar
Project Assistant – Urban-LEDS II
Adhia is a Project Assistant for Urban Low Emission Development Strategies Phase II (Urban-LEDS II) project with a background in Environmental Science. Joining ICLEI Indonesia in 2020, he is responsible for assisting in the implementation of Urban-LEDS II project activities in Indonesia including coordination with the cities, national ministries and other relevant stakeholders. Additionally, he assists in data analysis and review, report writing as well.
Prior to joining ICLEI, he has worked with WWF-Indonesia as a Marine and Fisheries intern, specifically focused on the freshwater environment.
Areas of expertise: low emission development, spatial data processing, remote sensing, geography
Education:
- Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours), University of Exeter
Hikmatul Pasaribu
Finance and Operation Officer
Hikmatul P Pasaribu is a Finance and Operation Assistant, with a background in finance and administrative management. Prior to joining ICLEI, she has worked with various international Non-Governmental Organizations to support finance and administration in the organization. Joining ICLEI Indonesia in 2017, Hikmatul is responsible for accounting and finance records, assisting in the preparation and monitoring of ICLEI Indonesia Office budget, and drafting financial statements and reports. She also provides support to the Project Management Team.
Areas of Expertise: administration, finance, book-keeping,
Education:
- Bachelor of Agribusiness (University of North Sumatera, Indonesia)
Marwan
Administrative Assistant
Marwan fell in love with the environment when he became part of an organization focusing on peat restoration.
Education:
- Bachelor of Computer Science, Telematics Cakrawala School of Technology, Indonesia
Vietnam
Hoang Thi Huong Giang
Country Liaison Officer for Vietnam- Ambitious City Promises
Giang is the Country Liasion Officer in Vietnam for the Ambitious City Promises. As CLO, she leads the on-ground implementation of the project as well as coordination with local governments, development partners, and other stakeholders.
Giang holds a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning major from the Hanoi Architectural University and a bachelor's degree in Urban and Rural Planning major from the same university.
Areas of Expertise: climate change mitigation, urban planning, local government, and community engagement, project management.
Education:
- BA in Urban and Rural Planning (the Hanoi Architectural University, Vietnam)
- MA in Urban and Regional Planning (the Hanoi Architectural University, Vietnam)
Lai Bich Ngoc
Project Assistant- Ambitious City Promises
Ngoc is the project assistant in Vietnam for the Ambitious City Promises. She has previously worked on initiatives on urban planning and community engagement. At ICLEI, Ngoc is responsible for providing technical support to develop, implement, and bridge projects in Vietnam.
Education:
- Degree of Architect in Urban and Rural Planning (the National University of Civil Engineering, Vietnam)
- Master in Urban and Regional Planning (the Hanoi Architectural University, Vietnam)
Laos PDR
Keoduangchai Nouanphanthakoun (Mickey)
Project Officer – Urban-LEDS II
Mickey serves as the Project Officer of Urban-LEDS II in Lao PDR. She has over 4 years of project management experience, which includes project planning, budgeting, implementation and overall coordination. Mickey previously worked as the as the Assistant Project Manager for the Third National Communications (TNC) and Biennial Update Report (BUR) project of the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) of the Lao PDR which encompassed a national greenhouse gas inventory, vulnerability and adaptation analysis, and integration of mitigation and adaptation considerations into national program. She also worked as a Project Officer at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Laos) for its Sustainable Rattan and Bamboo Harvesting and Production project, which focused on supporting the communities to secure credible forest certification, establish a more sustainable rattan production supply chain, and develop sustainable financing for small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in it.
For Urban-LEDS II, Mickey is responsible for the implementation the project work plan in Laos PDR, in consultation with ICLEI SEAS. She also works closely with the project cities, as well as the provincial and national government relevant to the project.
Education:
- 2014-2016 – Master of Laws, majoring in International Law, Transnational Law and Business University, South Korea
- 2009-2014 – Bachelor of Arts, with honors, majoring in International Relations, National University of Laos
Phonevisay Nengchue
Project Assistant- Urban-LEDS II
Neng is the Project Assistant of Urban-LEDS II in Laos PDR. He has over six years of experience in administrative systems including budgeting, coordination, and management. He used to work with the Indian Embassy in Laos PDR, mainly working on day-to-day coordination and as an interpreter.
For Urban LEDS-II, Neng assists in implementing project activities through setting up meetings and workshops, preparing technical reports, and generating content for the website and other communication channels.
Education:
- 2011- 2015: National University of Laos, Faculty of Education, Department of Foreign Languages.