Introducing Ourselves

Dr. Federico “Poch” Macaranas is a prominent figure in the areas of economic development, policy studies and policy reform, and national competitiveness. He occupied top positions in various government offices across administrations. In 2001, he was conferred by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the highest award given for diplomatic service, the Gawad Mabini, Dakilang Kamanong Award.

Poch served as Assistant Secretary for Foreign Affairs under the Aquino Administration. He was responsible for the creation of Science and Technology Advisory Councils in Filipino expatriate communities around the world; the establishment in Manila of the UN Technology Information Promotion System Regional Bureau for Asia and Africa; and the revitalization of the UN project on the Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN) in the Philippines.

During the Ramos Administration, he became Undersecretary for Economic Affairs and Chairman of the 1996 Senior Officials Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) where he steered the crafting of two landmark documents, the Manila Action Plan for APEC and the APEC Framework Declaration for Economic Cooperation and Development.

He also served as Executive Director of the National Security Training Center, responsible for preparing the bureaucracy and other stakeholders in the Philippines 2000 program for people empowerment and global competitiveness through nationwide workshops and seminars. Today, Poch continues to be part of the core group of the National Competitiveness Council.

A professor at the Asian Institute Management (AIM), Poch headed the AIM Policy Center, the Institute’s think tank that is focusing on enhancing national competitiveness, for almost nine years. Currently, Poch acts as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Strategic and Integrative Studies Center, a think tank providing policy options and directions to both government and private sectors in the Philippines and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Poch earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Cum Laude) from the University of the Philippines (1967) where he was conferred the Carlos P. Romulo Pin for Academic Excellence. He holds a Master of Science in Economics (1970) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (1975) from Purdue University under scholarship and fellowship grants from the Fulbright-Hays, Ford, Rockefeller, Krannert, and Asia Foundations.