Cristel N. Amarillo
Cristel N. Amarillo is a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and sustainable natural resource management. With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Ms. Amarillo delved into the intricacies of governance and policy-making, laying a strong foundation for her future endeavors. Prior to working with the Regional Secretariat, she pursued an accelerated postgraduate course, earning a Professional Master's in Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management with a specialty in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) from the University of the Philippines while she was working as a Research Associate for USAID Project SIBOL. Her research focuses on the political dynamics of MPAs and measuring socioeconomic inputs and incentives that drive policy success. She has co-developed tools such as the Socio-Economic Assessment and Monitoring System introducing new technology and automation for conducting national surveys that are currently being used by the Philippines. In addition to development, she also spearheaded the rollout, enumerator training, and co-wrote the manual for government use.
Drawing from her eight years of diverse work and volunteer experiences, including engagements in local law research, national electoral campaigning, renewable energy initiatives, and diplomacy, Ms. Amarillo has developed a nuanced understanding of the intersection between policy, science, and community engagement. Her commitment to environmental stewardship is further evidenced by her Offer of Place in the Master of Marine Conservation program at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, slated for 2026. With a keen interest in the fusion of marine science and intercountry politics, Ms. Amarillo eagerly anticipates broadening her expertise to contribute to the global discourse on marine conservation and sustainable economic development together with the CTI-CFF.