PEF honors an exemplary woman: Launch of the Marissa Camacho Fund

In honor of a life dedicated to bringing positive change among poor Filipino households, the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) launched the Marissa Camacho Fund during its 20th anniversary virtual event on November 25, 2021.

The Marissa Camacho Fund is a special fund for advancing women entrepreneurship and developing a new breed of leaders that will steer the future of social development, two advocacies that Marissa has been passionate about.

“Marissa is not only a friend, but also our partner in our continuing quest to improve the lives of disadvantaged and struggling Filipino families,” Dan Songco said as he led the unveiling of the details of the fund.

Part of the fund is a P20 million perpetual fund designated to microfinance institutions supporting women entrepreneurs, or community-based programs related to women empowerment in the field of entrepreneurship. Another P2 million fund will be earmarked for leadership development, which will be used to help develop the next generation leaders; finance innovative youth-led, community-based social enterprises; and a professorial chair grant to a chosen university.

“Marissa will always be remembered for her passion and grit in her advocacies, and the launch of the Marissa Camacho Fund is a continuation of her legacy,” PEF Executive Director Roberto Calingo said.

In his message, Teodoro Camacho, Marissa’s brother, thanked PEF for honoring Marissa’s life.

“Our family salutes all of you for the work you have started and continue to do. We are grateful for the honor you gave to our sister,” he said.

Marissa, along with Songco and other development leaders founded PEF in 2001 to support the work of the civil society in poverty alleviation. Through an endowment fund, PEF was able to support hundreds of thousands of households through microfinance, basic social services, support to social enterprises, and disaster relief and rehabilitation.