Country: Philippines

University: University of Reading

Course: MSc Environment and Development

Maria graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 2011 with the degree BSc Environmental Science. She currently works in the Provinces of Quezon and Pangasinan. Her roles and responsibilities are:

• Establishing 20 eco-friendly schools and creating information, education, communication materials on biodiversity conservation and solid waste management for primary schools
• Organising and facilitating workshops and training on enterprise development for local communities, particularly farmers, fish folk and indigenous peoples
• Developing three ecotourism areas (i.e. Pagbilao mangrove experimental forest, Manleluag Protected Landscape and Mts.Banahaw – San Cristobal Protected Landscape)
• Writing the sustainability report of team energy following the Global Reporting Initiative standards
• Preparing budget, writing letters and reports.

Upon completion of the course Maria would like to return to her previous role, to go back to enhance their projects with the communities (i.e. farmers, fisher folk and indigenous people) helping towards self-sufficiency based in her knowledge gained from her Master’s degree. She would like to focus on rural areas where assistance for the vulnerable groups is still inadequate.