President Arroyo lauds Microsoft donation to gov�t ICT programs

By joel d. pinaroc

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently commended the efforts of Microsoft Corp. to bridge the ‘digital divide’ in the Philippines through the company’s various academic and social responsibility programs in the country.

The President, who was guest of honor at the tenth anniversary celebration of the US-based software giant here in the Philippines, mentioned particularly the R300 million in donation and grants from Microsoft to various government IT programs.

"The R300 million that Microsoft has given to the Philippines, in grants and donation of software and computers, has gone a long way in providing basic IT skills to Filipinos," Arroyo, in a speech, said.

Microsoft Corp., through its Philippine office has pledged more than $2 million for various poverty alleviation programs through the mass use of IT.

The programs being implemented by the Philippine office includes grants to rural schools and donations to areas that are having difficulties getting basic computer services such as Internet connection.

Another key program that Microsoft Philippines has initiated is the "No Teacher Left Behind" program which seeks to train teachers basic computer skills. These teachers in turn can share the skills to other teachers and students.

Microsoft has also initiated various programs with other multinational IT firms, particularly computers and software donation to schools in depressed areas, and has been working with government agencies to roll out the programs.

The President meanwhile added that IT plays a major role in ‘unifying’ the Philippines, when it comes to technology.

And the benefits go beyond computers she said, adding that Filipinos with basic computer skills now have a better chance of landing jobs with IT and IT-enabled sectors, particularly business process outsourcing.

"The call center industry is just one example of how IT has helped Filipinos get more jobs and become globally competitive," she said, adding that IT continues to be one of the ‘brighter’ spots in the country’s economy.

---

Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.