Hazelyn Joy Bitaña (Deputy Regional Executive Director)

Hazel started working for CRC Asia in September 2015 as the Advocacy and Communications Coordinator and took on the role of Program Manager three years later. In November 2022, Hazel became the organization’s Deputy Regional Executive Director.

Hazel provides support to the Regional Executive Director in developing and implementing the overall strategic direction of the organization. She also manages day-to-day operations and supervises program and finance/administration colleagues.

Since joining CRC Asia, Hazel has contributed to the development of several regional and international documents. She also authored a number of publications of CRC Asia and, among these, she is most proud of the child-friendly materials she helped produce. With a decade of experience in the development sector, she has gained a strong background on children’s rights, particularly on child participation and the rights of the child in the digital environment.

Before being part of CRC Asia, Hazel served as the Media Relations of Campaign Officer of Plan International in the Philippines and as the Information Officer and, later on, as Regional Trainer of Asia against Child Trafficking (Asia ACTs). She produced advocacy materials, conducted workshops with children and adults, and built partnerships with stakeholders while working for these organizations. Prior to joining Asia ACTs, she worked for two years as a Creative Writer of a live television show produced by Television and Production Exponents, Inc. (TAPE Inc.).

Hazel has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communication with a Magna cum Laude distinction from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She also holds a Master of Statistics degree from the same university.

Hazel takes pride in her newly acquired knitting skills. She makes scarves for friends and knits hats for children survivors of cancer.