By James A. Loyola
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) has turned over keys of new houses to employees of its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) who won houses as part of a rewards program.
In a statement, ICTSI said the houses are located in a gated community within Cavite’s Tanza municipality.
Each of the 104-square meter (sqm), two-storey homes is complete with its own perimeter fence and gate, finished ceiling, flooring and bathrooms. The house design also provides for a garden, a carport and space for future expansion.
Since the start of the ICTSI Employee House Raffle Program in 2016 – more than 40 houses have been raffled off to qualified rank-and-file and supervisory employees of the Manila flagship.
Plans are underway to roll out the program across the Company’s global operations.
“More than an opportunity to fulfill the dream of having a house and lot of their own, the ICTSI Employee House Raffle is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our employees, who, in the many years, were and continue to be instrumental to ICTSI’s success and growth,” said ICTSI Global Corporate Head Christian R. Gonzalez.
One of the more recent winners of a house and lot – Mr. Raul Avila – who works at the Company’s Materials Management Department recalled that his prayers were “finally answered” after his name was picked in the raffle.
Among the pioneer employees who joined ICTSI back in 1988, Avila said that the new house is an added bonus as he prepares for a well-deserved retirement.
“When I started here, I didn’t know how my kids will go to school, how we can all survive. But with ICTSI, we managed to survive, and I was able to provide education for all of my four children,” he said.
Across its global operations, ICTSI has progressively initiated programs towards greater employee engagement and retention – providing a legible career path for employees and giving incentives beyond those mandated by governments.
ICTSI’s 32 terminals in 19 countries share the same best practices making the Company one of the leading port operator-employers in the world.