Microsoft holds ‘NGO Connection Day’

Microsoft Philippines Country Manager, John Bessey, and DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, sit down for an interview with reporters to discuss Microsoft's Citizenship program in partnership with DSWD. Matikas Santos/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups in the Philippines can now get a boost in their capabilities through the various digital software being made easily available and at low costs, Microsoft said in its recently held “NGO Connection Day.”

Microsoft, through its partnership with the international NGO, Techsoup Global, and its regional arm, TechSoup Asia, helps give local NGOs access to digital software at very minimal costs.

“TechSoup Asia provides donated software, events, and technology resources from companies like Microsoft, SAP, and Symantec to eligible charities and non-profit organization,” TechSoup Asia said in a statement.

NGOs in the country simply have to log on to their website, https://www.techsoup.asia and register their organization to become eligible of receiving software donations. Software are available for a minimal administration fee.

One of the software that NGOs can get when they register with TechSoup Asia is a genuine full version of the Windows 7 operating system that will translate into savings and increased capabilities for the organization to carry out its advocacies and activities.

TechSoup Asia has partnered with leading global software developers such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe, Symantec and more than 40 others to provide digital software programs to NGOs in the Asia-Pacific region.

TechSoup Global has already “distributed more than $2.6 billion in technology donations to more than 152,000 civil society organizations,” it said in a statement.

Their donations have helped NGOs “around the world in their efforts to support human rights, alleviate poverty, protect the environment, and provide education and healthcare services,” it said.

“Microsoft empowers small and medium businesses, even NGO’s, through the affordable technologies, helping them manage and grow their organizations in today’s knowledge economy,” John Bessey, Managing Director of Microsoft Philippines, said in their statement.

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman was present in the one-day gathering of NGOs, professionals, and industry experts.

Microsoft Philippines Country Manager, John Bessey, and DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman pose for pictures during Microsoft's ‘NGO Connection Day’ that brings digital software technology to NGO's in the country to boost their capabilities. Matikas Santos/INQUIRER.net

“We see that companies like Microsoft prioritize what the country is trying to achieve — and this is to alleviate poverty through the support they give to civil society organizations,” Soliman said in a statement.

She said in an interview that some of the technologies used by DSWD helps them in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program also known as the Conditional Cash Transfer program. They are able to create a data bank and information management system to pinpoint the exact locations of poor families that will be enrolled in the program.

She added that digital software programs that increase the capabilities of NGOs helps the government to pursue inclusive growth and ensure that no one gets left behind in the development of the country.