Guided by the ‘I Serve, I Give Back’ philosophy’

TanHoldings Corp. is known not only as the mother company of several other companies in the CNMI that provide employment and help the economy grow but it is also a powerhouse when it comes to its soft skills—well-known for not only donating to many worthy causes but also engaging the community in many ways, whether it’s about taking care of the environment through beach cleanups, to promoting health and wellness through fun runs and bike runs and organizing sports activities that benefit the young and old.

According to Merlie Tolentino, executive director of Tan Siu Liu Foundation, the charitable arm of TanHoldings, the corporation’s management and employees are guided by the “I Serve, I Give Back” philosophy.

“They are encouraged and inspired to get involved in activities that benefit the community. We have employees who volunteer for beach cleanups and other beautification drives, coach sports teams, and mentor students on work internship… Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the TanHoldings culture and values system,” she said. “We believe that sacrificing one’s time and efforts to help others is what true volunteerism is all about. It is the yardstick by which our character and value as individuals or as an organization will ultimately be measured.”

For 50 years, TanHoldings, through the Tan Siu Foundation and its different strategic business units have consistently supported and advocated for education, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, sports, and mentoring and leadership program.

“After the CNMI was struck by Super Typhoon Soudelor in 2015, TanHoldings, through the TSL Foundation, donated relief goods to affected families. In 2018, the CNMI was hit by another super typhoon (Yutu) and again the TSL Foundation through its donors and partners donated relief goods to the community and its employees and even provided temporary shelters to affected families. Less than a month after Super Typhoon Yutu flattened the islands, TanHoldings donated $1 million for the relief efforts from the back-to-back super typhoons,” Tolentino said.

TanHoldings also provided assistance to Rota and Tinian after both islands were hit by Typhoon Mangkhut and Yutu. In 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, TanHoldings and the TSL Foundation provided face masks and gift bags to front-liners. TanHoldings also allowed the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force to utilize one of the hotels (Kanoa Resort) operated by the company as an alternate care site and quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients and inbound passengers/returning residents, Tolentino added.

Tolentino said that there is no limit or season that would deter TanHoldings’ ongoing engagement with the community. “Our Corporate Social Responsibility knows no time. It’s a continues commitment. …When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers launched an initiative that would help transform destination and village facilities in the CNMI as it prepares to welcome back tourists, TanHoldings was one of the first companies to support the campaign (known as Public Private Partnership). TanHoldings and its SBUs have adopted more than 10 destination sites and village facilities and spearheaded improvement projects for these spots.”

“Seeing how the community enjoys using the facilities we helped transform for their safety and convenience, the increasing number of children getting involved in sports, students we supported through scholarships finishing school and returning or staying here to work and serve the community, and residents being more aware of the importance of taking care of our islands and doing something to keep the CNMI clean are encouraging us to continue our commitment to make the Marianas a better place to live,” she added.