Mare Foundation was established in 1996 with the vision to help improve the quality of life of underprivileged Filipinos. It was established by then Vice President now Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada with his wife, former Senator Luisa “Loi” Ejercito-Estrada.
After more than 20 years of implementing its pro-poor programs, it has helped thousands of men and women, seniors and youth through its free medical, surgical and dental missions, medical assistance program, feeding programs, livelihood projects, scholarships, and relief assistance to families who are victims of floods, fire and other calamities including conflict situations.
When President Mayor President Estrada took over the leadership of the city of Manila, Senator Loi together with the officers and members of Mare were able to hold close to a hundred medical and dental missions last year benefitting some 250 thousand indigent individuals.
Almost everyday, a team of volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses health promoters attend to the health concerns in depressed areas, at the same time teaching proper hygiene and nutrition and provide supplemental feeding to young children.
Equally worth mentioning is the Dialysis Center Project of the Foundation in partnership with the City Government of Manila which provides free dialysis sessions to poor Manilenos. This project goes back to the time when Dr. Loi Estrada was the First Lady helped build a dialysis center in Malacañang.
The Foundation also encourages families to raise varieties of nutritious vegetables to promote urban farming as a mode of livelihood program. One good example of such is found in Baseco and other selected school grounds.
Mare is also there where calamities, like fire that engulfs poor communities, to give assistance like food, medicines, personal belongings and even construction materials. Mare has successfully networked with various hospitals, NGOs and the private sector to support its activities.
On Sept. 7, Senator Loi Estrada relinquished the chairmanship of the board-of-trustees and passing it on to her daughter, Jackie Ejercito at a turn-over ceremony at San Andres Stadium. The new board is now composes of Jackie – Chairman, Precy V. Ejercito – Vice Chairman, Corina Ponce-Enrile Yenko – treasurer. The members include Edward M. Lavin, Mar. Rowena O Ejercito, Gabriel Ma. J Lopez, Maria Cristina Tantoco Morada, Willin C. Chan, Evelyn Carballo and Benita Tanyag.