Community alliance tackles advocacy plans at LA national conference

National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON USA) held its National Conference and General Assembly, with workshops on access to health for Filipinos, anti-Asian violence, police brutality, disaster response and relief, and rampant political disinformation. CONTRIBUTED

LOS ANGELES – Community advocates representing 57 Filipino organizations and institutions across the country gathered Nov. 5-6 to share common issues, concerns and concrete opportunities concerning the welfare of the Filipino community.

With the theme of Umahon at Magpunyagi! Together We Rise and Overcome Adversities, the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON USA) held its National Conference and General Assembly, with workshops on access to health for Filipinos, anti-Asian violence, police brutality, disaster response and relief, and rampant political disinformation.

Panelists included representatives from the National Nurses United, Philippine Nurses Association, Filipino Community Health Board, Kapwa Health Collective, Foundation for Philippine Progress, and Migrante USA.

Also in attendance were family members of Angelo Quinto, who was unjustly killed by Antioch police; members of the Roque family, survivors of a hate crime in North Hollywood; and three community organizers violently arrested in Manhattan during the visit of President Marcos, Jr., after advocating for justice and accountability for the victims of Martial Law and continued repression of activists.

“The history of the Filipino people is a history of overcoming many human-made adversities, struggling to create a better future for all, and rising together as a nation and people,” said keynote speaker, Rossella De Leon, Executive Director of Foundation for Philippine Progress. “What sets NAFCON apart is that it not only provides avenues for us to learn history, it leads us in making new history together.”

Following the conference, NAFCON member organizations elected its national council and new executive board, with Nerissa Allegretti of Fellowship of Filipino Migrants – FFM as President; Karen Roxas of Filipino Migrant Center as Vice President; Nikki De Leon, Founder of the Filipino Bayanihan Center Oregon, as Secretary General; Charles Ramilo of the Filipino Community Center as Treasurer; and Kami Yamamoto of Kapwa Health Collective as Education Officer.