MANILA, Philippines – Microsoft said it is donating more than $600,000 worth of cash and software to a computer learning program for overseas Filipino workers.

This is part of the program, dubbed Tulay, which is Microsoft' global Unlimited Potential initiative that involves technology-oriented programs aimed at developing countries.

The grant, valued at exactly $633,000 according to Microsoft, was announced during official turn-over ceremonies Friday attended by Vice President Noli De Castro.

This latest grant was turned over to the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a local NGO and Microsoft's program partner.

Launched in 2004, the program has established 14 so-called community technology learning centers locally and in other countries including Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

These centers cater to OFWs and their families who are trained on using basic Microsoft programs and the Internet to communicate via email and instant messaging.

Microsoft said this latest grant will be used to build 10 more centers in the country and another one in Taiwan.

Microsoft Philippines said they expect to train 25,000 people in the next 3 years.

Tulay has trained more than 14,000 people since 2004.

"We will teach new skills, such as blogging and using social networking sites," said Susan Ople, president of the Blas Ople Policy Center Training Institute.

The new centers will be in Baguio, Tacloban, Calamba, Koronadal, Tuguegarao, Davao, San Fernando, Butuan, Calapan, and Maguindanao.

Rafael Rollan, managing director of Microsoft Philippines, said this cash and software grant is one of the biggest grants by Microsoft to the Philippines. "With this latest grant, we intend to reach more than 25,000 OFWs and their families this year," he said.