Usec. Luzviminda IlaganUndersecretary for Legislative Liaison Affairs and Special Presidential Directives in the Mindanao Region at Department of Social Welfare and Development
Luzviminda Ilagan is many things to many people. A former teacher-professor at the Ateneo de Davao University for 41 years, a former Councilor in Davao City for two terms, a former legislator as representative of Gabriela Women's Party for 3 terms, an activist/feminist since 1982 - having been a founder of Gabriela National Alliance, Executive Director Women's Studies and Resource Center and Chair of the Board of NGOs helping prostituted women, indigenous people and victims of domestic violence. For her commitment to uplifting the status of women, she has received the Mae Carvell Award of Ventures International, the Women Helping Women Award of Soroptimists International, the Living Legend and Outstanding Alumna Awards from her Alma Mater, the Datu Bago Award that Davao City gives to its outstanding citizens and, in Congress, the Outstanding Legislator Award from the Publishers Association of the Philippines.
Ma'am Luz, as she is fondly called by her former students at the Ateneo de Davao and at the Regional Seminary in Davao and by colleagues in the non-government and government organizations, is currently Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison Affairs. She is also the Gender Focal Person, the Chair of the Advisory Committee handling Management and Union affairs, the Chair of the Committee on National Filipino Family, the DSWD official facilitating the full operation of the newly- formed Commission of Senior Citizens and the supervising officer of the National Anti-Poverty Commission or NAPC. She continues to serve with utmost dedication and commitment under the present dispensation.