New Bayanihan Equity Center at SOMA Pilipinas District
Upon the invitation of the Bayanihan Equity Center (BEC), Consul General Neil Ferrer joined Mayor London Breed and other local officials in a press event on October 22, announcing the BEC’s acquisition of a building at 616 Minna Street, SOMA Pilipinas District through a grant from the City and County of San Francisco.
In his speech, Consul General Ferrer thanked the BEC, led by Executive Director Luisa Antonio, for “keeping the flame of our veterans’ heroism alive and well into the modern times” by “providing welfare to Filipino veterans and their families, and for educating younger generations of Filipino Americans about our history.” He also extended his appreciation to Mayor Breed and the City Government for their support to the BEC and other Filipino American organizations in San Francisco.
Set to be operational in January 2025, the new center is expected to provide services and case management in areas of senior care, affordable housing, immigration, transportation, and food assistance. Originally established in 1999 as the Veterans Equity Center, the BEC has worked to advance the welfare of Filipino World War II veterans and their families through direct services and advocacy. The organization changed its name in 2017 to reflect the expanded services provided for low-income immigrant San Francisco seniors, people with disability, and families.
