The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
A little less than 5 ‘o clock in the afternoon on the final day of filing for candidacy, Marissa Del Mar, founding chair and first nominee of No. 49 OFW Partylist, together with second nominee Jerry Alfante, was still hesitant whether or not to foray into the May 2022 elections. As they see time passing, with only a few minutes left, they realized that it was now or never: will they heed to the call of service or deny the clamor of people who want them to seek public office?
The decision they made was not an easy one. If they abide by their passion to serve, the path towards victory seem to be a bit narrow especially for political neophytes like them, though they have been serving Filipinos all over the world within their private and personal capacity for more than 22 years now. Otherwise, they could have walked away with the chance to reach more of our kababayans if given the chance to represent their major sectors.
A few minutes before the deadline, the two nominees filed their candidacy, And as they say, the rest is yet to unfold in history.
Aside from its original meaning, Overseas Filipino Workers, the group coined a new meaning to the acronym OFW- One Filipinos Worldwide, representing the goal of uniting Filipinos from all walks of life to become productive citizens wherever they may be. From helping OFW’s, the partylist has expanded its reach to different sectors including education, labor, women and children, senior citizen, entrepreneurs and everyone in dire need of help and support.
Joined by third nominee, entrepreneur and women’s rights advocate Marcelina Sun, OFW Partylist has created complete line of projects and programs that were all carefully studied according to the needs and concerns of the Filipino people. To which, anti-human trafficking takes utmost priority.
The Birth of ATOM
Over the years, human trafficking has taken a toll on the lives and safety of the Filipinos, mostly women and children, who often fall prey to unscrupulous predators who relentlessly earn billions at the expense of their future.
As a mother and family woman, Marissa did not take this matter sitting down. To complement the government’s actions against this heinous crime, she mobilized the private sector and founded the Anti-Human Trafficking OFW Movement or ATOM.
It was no less than Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte who served as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker for the event.
“Since he attended the launch of ATOM, Pres. Duterte would always mention in his speeches about the matter which ignited the support of various public and private organizations to unite in fighting this heinous crime,” Marissa said.
Duterte also officiated the oath-taking of ATOM’s 20 partner organization heads, including PLDT Global Corporation, Macro Wiring Technologies Co., Inc., Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Phil Export), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Volunteer Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Sol Terra Design, Filipino-Indian Commerce and Welfare Society, Inc., National Real Estate Association, Inc. (NREA), Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. (PCCAI), Kelcon International Corporation, DJF Realty Corp., Southville International Schools and Colleges, Seagull Philippines, Inc., CDK International Manpower Services, Inc., Zonta Club of Makati Central Business District, Rotary Club of Makati Nielsen, and DDC Land, Incorporated.
Optimizing Service
Together with ATOM, No 49 OFW Partylist also plans to focus on strengthening human resources development to optimize Filipino professionals in all major fields here and abroad. In order to help Filipinos who do not have a shelter of their own, No. 49 OFW Partylist aims to help by linking them to the government’s housing institutions such as PAG-IBIG Fund, as well as Community Mortgage Program and Developers Self-Finance Scheme. Above all, as Chairwoman Emerita and Chairlady Board of Advisers of the National Real Estate Association (NREA), Marissa can encourage her linkages at the National Real Estate Association (NREA) to explore the possibility of building housing projects in potential key areas within the country.
As a form of enriching the culture of financial management, No. 49 OFW Partylist shall also institutionalize financial management and investment among OFW families to help build a solid future founded on the blood, sweat and tears of overseas workers through the years.
Likewise, No. 49 OFW Partylist shall also push protection of OFW’s abroad, from helping them gain the needed amount of certification and accreditation so that they may find a reputable job, up to the provision of a 24-hour monitoring for all registered Filipino workers abroad so that their family may always touch base with them, and help their families over here by establishing their own business, entering into stock investment, or by joining local cooperatives.
Leadership, Service Over the Years
When asked what track record they have in public service, Marissa was quick to joke in a whim, “Kami po ay bago man sa pulitika, kami po ay lumang-luma na sa serbisyo,” a statement that she has uttered lightly but definitely bears a lot of truth.
For instance, Marissa has already served as Charter President of Rotary Club of Makati Nielsen , Charter President of Katipunan ng OFW Lady Eagles Club and Founding President of Buhay OFW Foundation and Anti Trafficking OFW Movement (ATOM).
In her private and personal capacity, she has also created various social outreach programs that has shaped the lives of thousands of Filipinos here and abroad, including charity works such as gift-giving, medical and dental mission, school building donation, and turnover of books and other school supplies among others. Yet, this iron lady also advocates women empowerment, gender equality, and protecting the rights and welfare of Filipinos from scheming recruitment predators.
“As a TV host, Rotarian and Public Servant for more than 20 years, I have always believed that OFWs should be loved and appreciated in the highest possible sense, especially that their remittances keep the country afloat. Can you imagine that last year (2021), the remittances of our OFWs have reached a record-high of $34.88 Billion? That only shows how much they work hard despite the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the veteran TV host said.
The Road Ahead
These are just some of the long line of legislative agendas that No. 49 OFW Partylist has on its list, which was inspired by the 22 long years of laying a steady hand on the pillar of Filipinos wherever they may be.
“As I always say, we may be knew in politics but we are already veterans when it comes to public service. Despite our hesitation, it was the clamor of the people who made us realize how much more we can help if we represent these sectors in Congress. We can definitely make a difference,” Marissa said.
With these lines, No. 49 OFW Partylist continues to live by their goals of urging more Filipinos to heed to the call of genuine progress that the nation has long deserved- the alpha of service and the passion that sustains them through the cacophony of politics.