LAST April I marked my 23rd year as a development economist in the realm of public policy, administration, and governance, the second part of my professional track, which began in 1988 as a government economic planner for nine years. This makes me a 32-year-old development worker! The first half of these 23 years was devoted to work on climate change mitigation, environmental management and energy sector reforms, and the next half, I had branched out into infrastructure development reforms and program management. It has been a fulfilling professional run, being part of several medium-term projects, which aimed to support the Philippine government in introducing transformative reforms — whether in the form of policies, laws, rules, or plans and programs — and which are crucial to improving the country's competitiveness and investment climate — all invariably leading to a better Philippines.

I refer to my professional experiences as real-life testimonial of a development worker in the 'business of reforms.' In all the projects I had served, I realized that my learnings as a student of economics and public administration were neatly put to good use in advocating for reforms. The systematic, analytical and objective approach to problem-solving coupled with cognizance of social participation in introducing and sustaining reforms, where needed, are undeniably the best takeaway, which made working in reform-oriented development projects all worthwhile for me. The 'marketing of reforms,' from the perspective of an economist who doesn't want to be stuck in the analytical armchair black hole, is the sexier version of being a reform agent. In my lifetime-to-date as a reform agent, I have participated, albeit in invisible supporting roles, in the passage of landmark reforms that have now become part of our ongoing economic life in both national and local levels. I believe strongly that reforms can only lead to better results when diagnosed and designed well, and executed efficiently and consistently.