ICTSI Foundation expands programs
The ICTSI Foundation (IF) has broadened its impact this year, supporting more than 1,800 scholars, upgrading hundreds of classrooms, growing tens of thousands of trees, and delivering aid to disaster-hit families.
In its latest report covering projects as of August 2025, the Foundation outlined its efforts in education, environmental protection, community welfare, and emergency response rolled out across the country.
“Our mission has always been to create opportunities and extend support where it’s needed most,” said Filipina C. Laurena, ICTSI Foundation executive director. “These programs reflect our commitment to improving lives and helping communities thrive.”
Education and youth development
The Foundation sustained education programs that provided scholarships, vocational training, and assistance to students in ICTSI’s host communities. Over 1,800 scholars benefited this year, including students from H.J. Atienza and P. Guevarra Elementary Schools, where the BINHI English Literacy Program improved reading skills for more than 150 pupils.
A partnership with Don Bosco Technical Vocational Center supported 645 trainees and interns this year and has benefited 2,332 scholars since 2021. The Janitors, EcoPatrols, Meal servers, Security guards and Daycare Teachers (JEMST) Educational Assistance Program also aided more than 300 dependents of ICTSI partner personnel, including janitors, daycare teachers, EcoPatrol members, and security staff.
BINHI scholars from H.J. Atienza Elementary School complete the literacy program.
Don Bosco Youth Center scholars celebrate their graduation.
The Foundation modernized 499 classrooms and upgraded 41 daycare centers in Olongapo, Bauan, Tagoloan, and Iloilo, benefiting 17,800 students and 720 teachers. A public high school in Iloilo now houses a new computer laboratory serving 531 students and 31 teachers.
To assist out-of-school youth and adult learners, the Foundation equipped DepEd’s Alternative Learning System centers in Davao and Tagoloan with computers and training materials, helping 436 learners pursue skills such as welding and computer systems servicing.
IF and VCT donate a computer lab to Bo. Obrero National High School in Iloilo City.
Eloida Arcena, IF program head (second from left), turns over an assistance package to DepEd Davao’s Alternative Learning System.
Wellness, child advocacy, and sports
From March to May, the Foundation hosted mental wellness seminars in Iloilo, General Santos, Bauan, Manila, and Olongapo, focusing on stress management, resilience, and work-life balance for students and teachers.
In April, the iFIGHT campaign reached out to students of Raja Soliman Science and Technology High School in Manila and Bo. Obrero and Jalandoni National High Schools in Iloilo to raise awareness on child abuse and human trafficking and to help students access support systems.
Lisa Manuncia, psychotherapist, leads a mental wellness seminar for IF scholars in Iloilo City.
IF and Voice of the Free continue the I-FIGHT campaign against human trafficking at Rajah Soliman Science and Technology High School.
ICTSI officers, led by Filipina Laurena, Atty. Lirene Mora, and John Largo, launch the I-FIGHT campaign in Iloilo.
Sports development remained a key focus. In May, the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships drew 800 local athletes and 100 international delegates at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium. That same month, the Philippine Pole Vault Challenge at Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub showcased 14 elite athletes, including national standout EJ Obiena and international competitor Amy Christensen.
From July to October, the Foundation supported the PATAFA Weekly Relays at PhilSports Arena. Junior golfers Mona, Lisa, and Vito Sarines also trained under the ICTSI Amateur Golf Program.
“Sports foster discipline and perseverance,” Laurena said. “We aim to give young athletes opportunities to grow their skills and represent the country.”
Lauren Hoffman competes in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2025 ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships.
Sarines siblings shine at the Philippine Amateur Open Championships at Apo Golf in Davao City. From left: Mona, women’s second runner-up; Vito, men’s runner-up; and Lisa, women’s champion.
Athletes David Paul Matibag, Hussein Lorana, and Dhem Al Monton receive awards at the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships.
Protecting vulnerable children
Through its partnership with Voice of the Free, the Foundation supported the Center of Hope in Antipolo City, which provides shelter, psychosocial care, vocational training, and education for rescued child victims of abuse and trafficking.
Its collaboration with the Child Protection Network Foundation (CPN), based at the Philippine General Hospital, gave thousands of children and families access to medical care, mental health support, legal aid, and family reintegration programs. CPN also trained frontliners nationwide to strengthen the handling of child abuse cases.
Filipina Laurena, IF executive director, and Atty. Lirene Mora, ICTSI vice president, Global Corporate Legal Affairs, led an outreach at the Center of Hope in Antipolo City.
GCLA and IF teams with survivors of human trafficking at the Center of Hope.
Environmental protection efforts
In Batangas, the Foundation advanced tree-growing projects under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Forests for Life program, which aims to plant five million trees by 2028.
In July, the Mangrove Growing Project with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) planted 12,500 seedlings in Lian, with another 12,500 set for San Luis in February 2026. In Balayan and Tuy, RAFI and 223 farmer-beneficiaries completed a three-year project covering 163 hectares, planting 45,000 trees and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
“Environmental stewardship is a long-term investment,” Laurena said. “We work closely with communities to restore habitats and secure resources for the future.”
Filipina Laurena, IF executive director, signs the Forests for Life initiative, which targets planting 5 million trees by 2028.
IF's Jessica Flores joins a mangrove rehabilitation activity in Lian, Batangas.
Community welfare programs
In Tondo, the Foundation’s nutrition program assisted 2,592 children, including 1,757 students from Rosauro Almario Elementary School and 835 children from 11 daycare centers.
Partnerships with Don Bosco Parish, San Agustin Church, and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish in Tondo, Manila supported hundreds of children and 200 pregnant and lactating mothers.
In March, a medical mission in Bauan, Batangas served 300 residents, with similar activities planned in other ICTSI host communities. In April, ICTSI’s Global Procurement team assisted 44 elderly residents at the Little Sisters of the Poor.
In July, an outreach at Nayon ng Kabataan with the South African Embassy supported 200 children in conflict with the law.
Students from RAES Annex Isla Puting Bato receive fortified bread and milk as part of the Foundation’s feeding program.
Mothers and infants in Parola, Tondo join the Maternal Health and Child Nutrition Support project with ICTSI Foundation and Caritas Manila.
ICTSI Foundation and Bauan International Port hold a medical mission in Brgy. San Roque, Bauan, Batangas.
Damien Huppert, ICTSI vice president, Global Procurement, and Mariel Zamora, ICTSI Regional Procurement senior director for MICT, PH and APAC, turned over aid to the Little Sisters of the Poor in April.
Allan Valmoria, IF Admin and Finance manager, and H.E. Bartinah Radebe-Netshitenzhe, South African Ambassador to the Philippines, distribute gifts and hygiene kits at Nayon ng Kabataan.
The Foundation also responded to several emergencies this year. In January, 80 families displaced by a fire in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo received food and shelter assistance. After Typhoon Crising struck in July, the Foundation aided 3,500 families in Batangas and 100 in Cavite. In August, relief packs went to 876 families affected by a fire in Aroma, Tondo.
A Typhoon Crising survivor in Lobo, Batangas receives rice relief from ICTSI Foundation.
Joaquin Domagaso, Manila City Councilor, and Filipina Laurena, IF executive director, distribute aid to fire victims in Aroma, Tondo.
Looking ahead
For the remainder of 2025, the Foundation plans to expand its iFIGHT campaigns to Manila Science High School and Juan Nolasco High School in September. Other upcoming initiatives include medical missions, mental health resiliency seminars, public school facility and equipment assistance, library renovations, Christmas outreach activities, and year-end scholar gatherings across Olongapo, Bauan, Calamba, Iloilo, Tagoloan, and General Santos from September to December.
“Our work continues,” Laurena said. “By focusing on education, environment, and welfare, we hope to build stronger and more resilient communities.”