Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MANILA384
2009-02-23 04:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Manila
Cable title:  

Nomination of FSN Maria Villa for 2009 Environment,

Tags:  SENV AFSI KSCA AFSN TSPL RP 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #0384 0540412
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 230412Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3277
RUEHFSI/DIR FSINFATC
UNCLAS MANILA 000384 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR FSI MKELLER, RWINCHESTER, SHALLET
BANGKOK FOR REO HHOWARD

REF: SECSTATE 15409

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV AFSI KSCA AFSN TSPL RP
SUBJECT: Nomination of FSN Maria Villa for 2009 Environment,
Science, Technology, and Health Course

UNCLAS MANILA 000384

SIPDIS

STATE FOR FSI MKELLER, RWINCHESTER, SHALLET
BANGKOK FOR REO HHOWARD

REF: SECSTATE 15409

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV AFSI KSCA AFSN TSPL RP
SUBJECT: Nomination of FSN Maria Villa for 2009 Environment,
Science, Technology, and Health Course


1. Embassy Manila is pleased submit the following nomination for the
2009 ESTH course:

a. Name: Maria Theresa "Bimbi" N. Villa, grade 10
b. Date of Birth: January 11, 1963
c. Nationality: Filipino
d. Passport No.: pending application
e. Agency: Department of State
f. Position title: Economic Specialist
g. Supervisor: Caron de Mars, Email: demarsce@state.gov
h. Education: BS in Environmental Planning, Maryknoll College
Foundation, Philippines 1983; 21 units completed toward Masters in
Regional Planning, University of the Philippines, 1986-1988


2. (h-continued) Job experience: Philippines Department of
Agriculture, 2005-2006: Chief of Staff to the Secretary. Supervised
staff; analyzed economic data; offered advice on policy formulation;
and represented the Secretary at meetings.
- Farming Optics for Changing the Agricultural Landscape of the
Philippines, Inc. (FOCAL Philippines) 1997-2005: Board of Trustees
Secretary. Founded FOCAL to advocate agricultural policy changes and
promote innovative agricultural projects. Concurrently ran a
consulting business.
- Department of Agriculture, 1987-1997: Various analytical, human
resource, and managerial positions.
-Department of Trade and Industry, Republic of the Philippines,
1984-1987: Industry Development Analyst. Monitored regional
operations, cottage, small, and medium enterprises.


3. (h-continued) Current responsibilities: Economic Specialist
2006-present. Analyze and report on Philippine ESTH and agricultural
policies and programs. Act as Embassy's expert on marine scientific
research regulations and facilitating clearance for U.S. scientific
research. Participate in public outreach. Help in the selection of
and provide assistance to Embassy Science Fellows. Prepare
presentations for the section's interagency Economic Policy Working
Group. Work with USAID, FAS, and FCS to set up meetings with NGOs,
Philippine government officials, and U.S. companies, to capitalize
on overlapping interagency portfolio areas. Mentor the newly-hired
local staff in the Biosecurity Engagement Program. Provide technical
and administrative support to the economic section officers.


4. (i) How course would enhance nominee's effectiveness: This course
would broaden Bimbi's skills on ESTH issues and required writing
style. She would gain insights into State Department operations,
policy, and expectations. Bimbi possesses good presentation skills,
but gets a bit nervous. This opportunity would boost her confidence
in her presentation abilities. This course would build on her two
years of USG policy knowledge and introduce her to new topics, which
would increase her job effectiveness. Bimbi displays the desire to
expand professionally. She would take advantage of this opportunity
to meet speakers from other agencies and her contemporaries. She
has virtually worked with many people in OES that she would like to
meet. These individuals would be important resources for her in
years to come.


5. (j) Course suggestions: Post suggests that the course director
use Bimbi's experience in pushing through clearances on eighteen
research cruises in the last two years and how she has overcome many
associated obstacles. Her knowledge would benefit FSNs serving in
coastal states. Course leaders can explain the interagency process
and how to enhance our relationships with other USG agencies; give
policy talks on U.S. positions such as on climate change and
adaptation; give overviews of regional programs like the Coral
Triangle Initiative; disperse information on bilateral
debt-for-nature swaps to preserve coral reefs and old-growth
forests; instruct how to best leverage bilateral and multilateral
scientific agreements; and summarize programs like GLOBE that we
co-sponsor with other agencies. Experts can talk about clean energy
technology.


6. Bimbi has not had any training in Washington with the State
Department.

KENNEY