The Tuason Development Foundation, Inc. (TDFI) was registered with the SEC on March 5, 2005, as a non-stock, non-profit organization. It serves as the corporate social responsibility arm of the Hijo Resources Corporation in Tagum, Davao del Norte. It started as a funding/grant-making organization, it provided college scholarships to poor but deserving students in Mindanao. The scholars are mainly from the children of banana plantation workers. In 2013, TDFI implemented capability building programs for the community in Davao del Norte on alternative livelihood activities, i.e. organic farming and poultry-raising, food processing, packaging, and marketing. Its main office is located at Hijo Plantation, Madaum, Tagum City. The Foundation has 3 regular staff, 1 consultant, 6 shared service from HRC and nine (9) members of the Board of Trustees.
It was certified for one (1) year on August 11, 2011 which ended on August 8, 2012. For its renewal, it was certified for three (3) years on November 12, 2012 which ended on October 9, 2015. Another 3 year certification was given on December 31, 2015 which will end on December 31, 2018 for its 2nd renewal.
Its purposes (V-M-G), among others, are: “to nurture nature today and benefit the generations of tomorrow; and to help Mindanao achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development by creating and implementing program targeted and those left behind”. The Foundation’s program/project is now focus on entrepreneurship; education and environment. In 2014, it was given a grant by Philam Fund to establish Davao Gulf Business Incubator, a program aimed to help farmers, fishers and their families and to existing MSMEs for potential economic growth. Geographical scope of programs: Mindanao, specifically Tagum, Davao del Norte and nearby municipalities in Compostela Valley.
