The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga facilitated the Capacity Building cum LPDAO Conference for Persons with Disabilities Affairs Officers (PDAOs) and focal persons, where the League of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (LPDAO) elected a new set of regional officers – November 24-25, 2025.
The activity gathered 63 focal persons from local government units (LGUs), five provincial focal persons, one representative from the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and four DSWD Caraga staff. It aimed to capacitate PDAOs and focal persons by enhancing their skills, updating them on current sector innovations, and addressing issues concerning persons with disabilities (PWDs).
As part of the sessions, Atty. Walter Jason Alava facilitated a knowledge-sharing discussion on the Unified PWD Digital ID and Verification System to standardize processes and improve service delivery across LGUs.
The highlight of the event was the election of the new Caraga LPDAO Officers. The newly elected officers are the following:
President: Joebert Tapales
Vice President: Jeanette Paredes
Secretary: John Lord Digaum
Treasurer: Lovelynn Mae Plaza
Auditor: Jimmy Magpale
Business Manager: Stephanie Paradero
Provincial/City Information Officers (PIO):
PIO – PDI: Ranita Castro
PIO – SDN: Kathlyn Romo, Harriet Helen Page-Et
PIO – SDS: Donald Eledonia, Clyde Orquita
PIO – ADS: Mirasol Buslon, Matsam Jr. Morris
PIO – ADN: Mark Libarnes, Mylyn Buque
Butuan City (HUC): Khenne Joy Ponce
The organization of the LPDAO, together with DSWD Field Office Caraga, as the Chair of the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA), aims to strengthen regional coordination in promoting, monitoring, and implementing programs and services for persons with disabilities in Caraga.
