Ms. Carmen Reyes Zubiaga, a staunch advocate of persons with disabilities has recently been appointed as the new Acting Executive Director of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). Her track record in the field of disability started way back in 1987 as the Public Relations and Fund Raising Manager of Tahanang Walang Hagdananwhich lasted for nine years. She also served as   International UN Volunteer, posted as Executive Director of the National Center of Disabled Persons under the Ministry of Social Affairs in Cambodia through the United Nations Development Program.  As the founding president of Women With disabilities Leap to Social and Economic Progress (WOW Leap Inc.) she managed the development of the organization through income generating projects, developing training modules for advocacy, leadership and program development.

Ms. Zubiaga was accelerated from 1^st year high school to first year college through Philippine Educational Placement (PEPT). She earned a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the Trinity College, now known asTrinity University of Asia in Quezon City, working her way through a degree in Master in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management with scholarship from the Asian Development Bank Japan in 1993.

Before her appointment to the National Council on Disability Affairs, she heads the Public Information Office, concentrating on disability affairs at the Municipal Government of Taytay, Rizal. Her experiences and capabilities will immensely aid the Council in advocating full and active participation of persons with disabilities.

As tasked to lead an agency mandated to formulate policies, coordinate and monitor its implementation, Ms. Zubiaga’s thrust is to empower persons with disabilities to claim their rights, have a voice in every community and get their appropriate share of community resources.