Dr. Rico C. Ancog, dean of the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), was honored as one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for the year 2022 under the field of “Education and the Academe.”
The TOYM awards, formally known as “The Outstanding Young Filipinos,” annually recognizes Filipinos between the ages of 18 and 40 years old who have substantially contributed to their respective field or community. The theme for 2022 was “Rebuilding the Nation, Stronger Together,” where the awardees share a common characteristic of selfless service to the community.
Aside from being a dean and professor, Dr. Ancog is also the head of the Ecosystem Services and Environmental Policy (ESEP) Research Laboratory, the managing editor of the Journal of Environmental Science and Management (JESAM), Board Secretary of the Philippine Network of Educators on Environment (PNEE), and the district chair of the environment protection committee of Rotary District 3820.
Dr. Ancog’s research projects concentrate on the systematic understanding of socio-ecological systems for efficient resource conservation and resilience. He specializes in environmental science and environmental economics to see how development and environmental protection can be balanced.
He applies his research by extending a hand to government agencies for various projects. He was a consultant in the initial development of the Philippine Mangrove Systems Accounts of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). He also helped analyze the Coastal Resources Management (CRM) programs of 24 selected local government units around the country, especially on efficiency and financing.
Dr. Ancog finished his Ph.D. in 2011 at UPLB with a sandwich program at Nagoya University. His other awards include the Asian Young Professional on Water Research in 2009, the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Award for Best Published Paper in 2017, and the NAST Outstanding Young Scientists award in 2019. (Antoinette Sia, with information from the SESAM UPLB website)