Microsoft Phils. ups CSR a level higher

By EDISON D. ONG

OLONGAPO, Zambales — Microsoft has taken the concept of companies implementing their own corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs a level higher through an expanded approach to global citizenship.

Microsoft Unlimited Potential is what the company calls "this global initiative that focuses on improving lifelong learning for underserved young people and adults by providing technology skills through community-based technology learning centers."

Clearly Microsoft does not have all the answers, but the company top honchos says that by working closely with government and non-government organizations and industry partners, the company hopes to be able to address "many of the most serious challenges facing our (the IT) industry and the communities where we conduct our business."

They say Microsoft believes that "by providing the greater access to technology, people can do amazing things to improve their lives and their community - regardless of culture, language, socio-economic standing and geography."

In the Philippines, at present, Microsoft Philippines implements two main "digital inclusion" programs- Unlimited Potential and Partners in Learning.

The Unlimited Potential grant is implemented in cooperation with Learn.ph which is working with two local non-government organizations. There are two project sites. Namely, People’s Recovery, Empowerment and Development Assistance (PREDA) Foundation center near Subic Freeport Zone; and the Manpower Skills and Training Center of Don Bosco near Clark Development and Economic Zone.

The CTLC in Don Bosco Clark in Pampanga and in Subic, Olongapo have formally been inaugurated during the past month.

The Pag-Asa (Hope) program was launched in June 2004 and provides technology training to Amerasian youth who are displaced, out-of-school, and victims of discrimination, particularly since the removal of US bases in the Philippines.

The goal is to give these youth better employment opportunities. Approximately 800 youths will receive basic computer literacy training, while 30 have gone on towards more comprehensive training and certification.

At the formal opening of the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Learning Center at the PREDA head office, Alex Hermoso, program director and co-founder of PREDA Foundation, reported that he is glad to note that the big company-locators inside the Subic Freeport Zone has shown interest to implement their own CSR programs.

"Initial meetings have been done for these companies to provide a similar service for their staff," he said.

For his part, Zambales Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain III, expressed interest in seeing the Microsoft Unlimited Potential program extend to other local non-government organizations. Also to possibly have the indigenous people or members of the local tribal communities be trained in basic computer usage skills.

"The work falls on Learn.Ph, PREDA and the students to make a difference in their lives," said Mae Rivera, PR and Community Affairs manager of Microsoft Philippines.
While, Fr. Jomar Legaspi, executive director of Learn.Ph, remarked that it is giving them (the Amerasians) a dream to achieve, and stated, "this is a journey for us with them."

Fr. Shay Cullen, cofounder of PREDA, welcomed the establishment of the learning center. He said under the present economic hardship being experienced by Filipinos, it can be difficult to enrol in one school year.

Short Microsoft courses at the new technology education facility is thus a solution.
He said he does not want to see any computers idle. "We want to share it with the community, he remarked.

The first teacher at the center is Jason Snow, 23, who is a Microsoft-certified specialist. He is teaching eight courses.

Unlimited Potential is providing technology training to Amerasian youth who are displaced, out-of-school, and victims of discrimination, particularly since the US bases closed down.

Microsoft has made a five-year $1 billion commitment to the Unlimited Potential and other programs to bridge the digital divide. The recipients of this program span more than 45 countries in Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America.

In the Philippines, a total of R91 million worth of grants were released in 2004 alone.