Southeast Asia · Case study

ICTSI Foundation (Philippines), Structured Community Investment in Port Host Communities

Manila, Philippines (host communities around Manila International Container Terminal, including Tondo, Parola and Isla Puting Bato), and other ICTSI host communities across the PhilippinesEstablished May 2009; ongoing (2025 program data)

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) set up the ICTSI Foundation in May 2009 to rationalize CSR initiatives across the ICTSI Group (ICTSI, n.d.). Its mission is to provide support mechanisms and stimuli in youth development, environmental protection and community assistance. ICTSI states that the Foundation helps keep its host communities safe, sustainable, thriving and empowered (ICTSI, n.d.).

Approach

One vehicle for community investment. Rather than giving through each terminal separately, ICTSI channels its community programs through a dedicated foundation with three stated pillars: youth development, social welfare and environmental protection (ICTSI, n.d.).

Education as the main program. The Foundation runs scholarships, school upgrades and literacy support. It also partners with Don Bosco on technical and vocational training, and supports the children of partner personnel through an educational assistance program (ICTSI, 2025).

Health and nutrition in port neighborhoods. Programs include a nutrition program in Tondo, medical missions and mental wellness seminars (ICTSI, 2025).

Environment and disaster response. The Foundation plants mangroves and trees, and assists families after typhoons and fires in host communities such as Isla Puting Bato and Tondo (ICTSI, 2025).

Delivery through partners. Programs are delivered with partner organizations, including Don Bosco, the Child Protection Network Foundation, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation and the Department of Education (ICTSI, 2025).

Results

ICTSI reports these 2025 outputs (ICTSI, 2025):

more than 1,800 scholars supported;
645 trainees and interns at the Don Bosco technical and vocational center, and 2,332 scholars through that partnership since 2021;
499 classrooms modernized and 41 daycare centers upgraded, benefiting about 17,800 students and 720 teachers;
2,592 children assisted through the Tondo nutrition program;
12,500 mangrove seedlings planted in Lian;
876 families assisted after a fire in Aroma, Tondo, and 80 families after a fire in Isla Puting Bato

In April 2026, the Foundation gave PHP 14.4 million to the Don Bosco Youth Center in Tondo (Daily Tribune, 2026). These are output figures reported by ICTSI. No independent evaluation of outcomes was found in the sources reviewed.

Transferability

DMC port operators can channel community investment through one dedicated vehicle with a small number of stated priorities, so giving is planned rather than ad hoc. Education and child nutrition programs in the communities next to the terminal are a practical starting point, and working through established local partners such as schools, vocational centers and NGOs keeps delivery costs down. Ports should publish output figures each year and, over time, add outcome measures such as graduation and employment rates, so the program can show its effect as well as its scale.

Sources

All information used for this case study was based on publicly available resources.