Ditas Yamane

Ditas Yamane has lived in National City with her family for over 30 years. Ditas and her husband Rey have raised their children in National City. Ditas has built relationships and has planted deep roots in the community as a resident, a small business owner, a volunteer, and an advocate in the community.

As an immigrant with a very humble beginning, Ditas worked hard to have a better quality of life for her family and the community. She founded the Mabuhay Foundation, a nonprofit entity to engage, build and educate our Filipino American community on economic, social, health and political empowerment through civic engagement, developmental programs, and special projects.

Ditas has volunteered in many civic programs in the community. As a member of a military family, she volunteers as the Government Affairs Director for VAREP San Diego dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership, and economic opportunity for the active-military and veteran communities.

She is a Past President of the National City Chamber of Commerce advocating for the business community for access to resources and capital for businesses to thrive in our city. Ditas is the Immediate Past President of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors in San Diego County and advocates for affordable homeownership and protecting property rights. Her leadership stands up for homeownership that is affordable and is available for all.

Currently, Ditas is Chairperson for the National City Planning Commission who renders determinations and makes recommendations to the council on a variety of land use matters, including changes to the city’s general plan, specific plan, and land use codes. Ditas also serves as the Chair for the Housing Advisory which provides input on housing related matters such as the housing element and the focus general plan update and plays a role in moving forward housing programs and projects. She also sits as a Board Member in a 3-member quasi-judicial assessment appeals for the County of San Diego.

Ditas had championed District Voting that resulted in a historical and transformational change.