Who We Are?

The Philippine Empowerment for the Poor or PEP  (formerly the Philippine Children’s  Fund of America) founded by Erik D. Gomez  primarily for many Amer-Asian children in Angeles City and Subic  displaced by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. However, after being exposed to different community problems, the agency started to serve other children and communities in many parts of the Philippines. The overwhelming support of the American donors gave the agency the opportunity to work with different groups  in Luzon, Vizayas and Mindanao.

In the USA it opened a shelter in Sacramento, CA  for the many American youth it rescued from the Philippines. The particular program was so successful that it was featured on national TV on a Thanksgiving Special.

With the sad decline of revenues the agency had to close almost all  its partnership providing free education, feeding and providing emergency programs to many deserving agencies in the country  including its shelter in Sacramento for American Youth it recues from the Philippines.

Today, with its new name  PEP is now focusing on programs that will empower many individuals who are willing to stand on their feet in order support themselves thru small businesses. PEP now works with reputable agencies that provides micro loans to the poor.  PEP believes that by supporting entrepreneurship for marginalized people who are mostly not qualified to get a typical loan form the bank it can support poor and willing individuals willing to help themselves to:

• Provide for the Needs of Their Families
• Send their children to school
• Promote Self Dignity
• Become an important part of the community
• Create jobs for other needy people
• Lessen the number of people depending on Dole-outs