LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Rico Ancog as its new Deputy Director for Administration, effective 1 December 2025.
Ancog is a highly awarded academic leader and a distinguished researcher. He currently serves as Professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and is a recognized UP Scientist. His leadership roles include serving as Dean of the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) from 2021 to 2025.
Ancog is no stranger to SEARCA. He has steadily advanced within the organization, having previously served as Program Specialist in the Research and Development Department (now called the Research and Thought Leadership Department), Operations Consultant in the Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (2020 to 2021), and, most recently, as Special Assistant to the Center Director in 2025.
With a career dedicated to sustainability science, environmental policy, economic valuation, and systems thinking, Ancog is committed to bridging science and policy for inclusive and sustainable development in Southeast Asia. His research has supported the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), including significant contributions to the Philippine Mangrove Systems Account under the Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES) program. He has also played a vital role in developing a supplemental manual to integrate disaster risk reduction management and climate change adaptation into NEDA's Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) project evaluation system and has conducted studies on coastal resources management (CRM) programs in 24 local government units across the Philippines.
Ancog's accomplishments have earned him national and international recognition, among them the Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in 2019, and The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) recognition in 2022. Internationally, he represents the Philippines in the General Assembly of Future Earth (FE), serves on the Scientific Steering Committee of Monsoon Asia Integrated Research for Sustainability – Future Earth (MAIRS-FE) hosted by Peking University, and is a Commissioner of the Value Commission, a Europe-based organization for value evaluation standards. His other distinctions include the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Award for Best Published Paper (2017) and the Asian Young Professional on Water Research Award (2009).
Ancog earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, with a research stint at Nagoya University.
SEARCA expresses full confidence in Ancog's ability to drive innovation, excellence, and collaboration within the Center and the broader region. Under his leadership, SEARCA anticipates reaching new heights as it continues to promote inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development across Southeast Asia.