
Organizational Structure
Meet the dedicated team and leadership driving our mission forward
Board of Trustees

Margarita T. de la Cruz
President & Executive Director
Margarita T. de la Cruz
President & Executive Director
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Rectito Melquiades
Vice–President
Rectito Melquiades
Vice–President
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Concesa Abuda
Secretary
Concesa Abuda
Secretary
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Praxedes Gonzales
Treasurer
Praxedes Gonzales
Treasurer
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Jaime Salazar
Member
Jaime Salazar
Member
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Gemma Lucero - Pelino
Member
Gemma Lucero - Pelino
Member
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Alipio Garado
Member
Alipio Garado
Member
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Leo Lacaba
Member
Leo Lacaba
Member
Raised on a small fishing island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Leo is a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer dedicated to community-led marine conservation. Guided by the philosophy of losing oneself in the service of others, he bridges the gap between data and people—balancing physical project progress with financial accountability to empower coastal communities. When he's off the clock, Leo trades data for adventure as a passionate freediver, hiker, and photographer. You'll likely find him exploring a mountain trail, scouting a local coffee shop, or hanging out with dogs and cats.
Admin and Finance

Imelda Naing
Cashier
Imelda Naing
Cashier
Imelda is the Office Cashier at GDFI, where she manages daily financial transactions, keeps records organized, and ensures that funds are handled properly to support the organization's programs. She is passionate about contributing to marine conservation by helping ensure that resources are accurately managed and reach coastal community projects that protect marine life. Outside of work, Imelda enjoys tending to her small plant collection, finding it a relaxing way to unwind while staying connected to nature.

Shelly Bernardo
Admin & Finance Officer
Shelly Bernardo
Admin & Finance Officer
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Yolanda Colinares
Admin Asst. & Bookkeeper
Yolanda Colinares
Admin Asst. & Bookkeeper
Yolly is the Finance Assistant and Bookkeeper of GDFI, she keeps the finances steady for an organization dedicated to protecting our oceans. Her daily work directly mirrors her commitment to marine life protection and conservation. Beyond her professional duties, she finds great fulfillment in helping out the community through disseminating ecological awareness. When she is not managing spreadsheets, she thoroughly enjoys hanging out with her family and friends. She often spends her quiet hours in the kitchen, cooking wholesome meals and baking sweet treats for family and friends. Throughout her life, she has always brought the very same care, devotion, and joy to her bookkeeping precision, her community service, and her cherished kitchen hobbies.
Project Coordination

Joyce Laurente
Project Officer
Joyce Laurente
Project Officer
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Jenny Bajas
Project Officer for Pacific Seaboard
Jenny Bajas
Project Officer for Pacific Seaboard
As the Project Officer for Pacific Seaboard, I manage and coordinate activities regarding the project activities in the Northern Pacific Seaboard of Eastern Samar, primarily in the municipalities of Oras, Dolores, and Can-avid. These engagements include community consultations, ecological field work assessment, as well as coordination with area stakeholders. Jenny believes in wonder with nature and is excited to work on and off the ground to create meaningful data for ecological work. He is passionate in learning ways in bridging science to the community and to understand the effect of grassroots effort to protect the environment.

Leo Abuda
Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Officer
Leo Abuda
Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Officer
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Maylyn Pagatpatan
Project Coordinator
Maylyn Pagatpatan
Project Coordinator
As Project Coordinator, she helps plan, coordinate, and oversee projects that support environmental conservation, climate resilience, and community development. She works closely with partners, local stakeholders, and communities to ensure that initiatives are implemented effectively and create meaningful and lasting impacts for both people and nature. She is passionate about protecting our coastal and marine ecosystems while helping communities improve their quality of life. She believes that conservation is most effective when local people are empowered to participate in managing and protecting their natural resources. Seeing communities become more resilient and environmentally conscious motivates her to continue this work. Outside of work, Maylyn enjoys traveling, exploring nature, and spending quality time with family and friends. A fun fact about her is that she never says no to a good bowl of halo-halo or a delicious serving of pansit—two of her all-time favorite Filipino comfort foods! She also enjoys discovering new places and learning from the people and communities she meets along the way.

Lorna Lama
Project Assistant
Lorna Lama
Project Assistant
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Danica Nicart
Project Field Assistant
Danica Nicart
Project Field Assistant
As Project Field Assistant, she supports the implementation of environment conservation and community development projects by assisting in field activities, data collection, monitoring, and coordination with local stakeholders. She helps ensure the project activities are carried out efficiently and that accurate information is gathered to support project goals and decision-making. She is passionate about exploring nature and learning about the environment both on land and sea. She enjoys discovering and understanding natural resources and believes in the importance of protecting them for future generations. She is also passionate about community work, valuing the opportunity to contribute to local development while learning from the knowledge, experiences, and traditions of the people she works with. Her commitment to conservation and community engagement continues to inspire her work in environmental protection. Outside of work, Danica enjoys seeking new adventures and exploring natural places. She is a self-proclaimed food lover,especially when it comes to seafood, and is always excited to try local delicacies during field visits. A fan of chinese, thai dramas and wattpad stories, she enjoys spending her free time immersed in captivating stories. Known for her cheerful personality, she believes that good food brings people together and is never shy when there is a delicious meal to share. Her personal motto, “See it and be it”, reminds her to keep learning, growing, and pursuing her goals with determination.

Teresito Padit, Jr.
Field Assistant/Driver
Teresito Padit, Jr.
Field Assistant/Driver
As a Driver/Field Assistant, he supports field activities by safely transporting staff and materials, assisting with community outreach, and helping ensure smooth project implementation. He is passionate about working and empowering communities to actively participate in marine conservation and work together to protect and sustain our marine resources. Outside work, TJ enjoys hobbies including freediving, singing, playing basketball, watching movies, and playing mobile games, which help him stay active, relaxed, and entertained.

Nicky Joy Ramasta
Training Assistant
Nicky Joy Ramasta
Training Assistant
Raised on a small island in Salcedo, Eastern Samar, Nicky Joy Ramasta is a Training Assistant dedicated to community development, environmental conservation, and empowering people through learning. She brings a strong passion for education and community engagement to her work, supporting capacity-building initiatives and conservation programs that strengthen local communities and protect the natural environment. Growing up surrounded by the sea nurtured her deep appreciation for nature and inspired her commitment to conservation. She believes that informed and engaged communities are essential in creating lasting environmental and social impact. Beyond her work, Nicky can often be found exploring mountain trails and snorkeling in coastal waters, expressing her creativity through painting, drawings, or crafting miniatures, and watching documentaries that fuel her curiosity about the world. In her personal life, she values meaningful time with her family, especially with her nephews and nieces. She is also deeply devoted to her faith and regularly attends church, where she finds guidance, and reflection.
Pool of Volunteers

Mark Lama
GIS
Mark Lama
GIS
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Nart Trance Macalinga
GIS/Drone Technical Assistance
Nart Trance Macalinga
GIS/Drone Technical Assistance
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Brenda Gajelan-Samson
Biology and GIS
Brenda Gajelan-Samson
Biology and GIS
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Janine Villamor
Mangrove Assessment
Janine Villamor
Mangrove Assessment
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Jerome Cabansag
Coral Assessment & Fish Visual Census
Jerome Cabansag
Coral Assessment & Fish Visual Census
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Victor Romero II
IT/Computer Science
Victor Romero II
IT/Computer Science
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

John Paul T. Yusiong
IT/Computer Science
John Paul T. Yusiong
IT/Computer Science
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Jericho Aliposa
Communication/Films
Jericho Aliposa
Communication/Films
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.

Rhonel Samson
Radio/Communication
Rhonel Samson
Radio/Communication
Bio coming soon. This is a placeholder description that will be updated with the actual background, experience, and accomplishments of the team member.