Microsoft Philippines marked its 25th anniversary with a digital transformation initiative aimed at increasing the digital literacy and improving the employability of 25 million Filipinos over the next three years.
“Since the very start of the pandemic, your Microsoft Philippines team resolved to be the country’s digital first responders, supporting key government and civic functions while introducing new innovations to help Filipinos respond, recover and reimagine their reality,” said Andres Ortola, Microsoft Philippines country general manager.
“Our commitment in the Philippines is stronger than ever to democratize technology and make it more accessible.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for innovative digital solutions across all sectors at an unprecedented pace and scale.
In response, Microsoft rolled out its nation-building agenda, Microsoft Para sa Bayan, which seeks to build coalitions for responsible innovation and close critical digital skills gaps for 25 million Filipinos over the next three years alone.
Throughout the lockdown period, Microsoft worked closely with the Department of Education to provide more than 20 million public school children with Microsoft 365 accounts for an improved learning experience. It also supported the department’s efforts in training teachers to adapt to online learning.
The Microsoft Enabler Program was likewise launched to foster disability-inclusive workplaces across the Asia Pacific, with the Philippines selected as one of five pilot markets. People with disabilities were given the opportunity to get cloud and artificial intelligence training while employer-partners received accessibility education.
The brand also began an ambitious digital entrepreneurship innovator initiative, Highway to a 100 Unicorns, to strengthen the startup ecosystem across Southeast Asia, seeking to spur new economic growth during and after the pandemic.
In the Philippines, the sole major Southeast Asian economy without a homegrown technology unicorn, Microsoft seeks to foster an environment that creates more proactive and engaged opportunities for Filipino digital entrepreneurs.
“Filipinos are a hugely creative and resourceful people. Enhancing their digital skills and creating inclusive opportunities for them will not only create solutions to society’s challenges today, but drive economic recovery and success for the future,” Ortola said.
In October, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and together with the Makati Business Club, Infocomm Technology Association of the Philippines, Institute of Corporate Directors, Women’s Business Council Philippines, and the US-ASEAN Business Council Inc., Microsoft Philippines announced the formation of the AI Pilipinas Coalition.
The Coalition sought to empower people and organizations through the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence. AI, Microsoft said, will play a key role in helping the Philippines respond to and recover from COVID-19.
More than 5,000 guests from across the country attended Tuesday’s virtual event. Inspiring messages were presented from the representatives of Microsoft’s Philippines, Asia Pacific and global leadership.
Special messages were delivered by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta and Lance Gokongwei, president of JG Summit Holdings.
“Microsoft’s digital innovations directly help advance Filipino nation-building in new and valuable ways and more Filipinos are empowered with the latest digital skills, increasing their employability, raising incomes and improving Filipino lives. We at Microsoft look forward to being the Philippines’ trusted technology partner for hope, optimism, and a real sense of bayanihan as we tackle the challenges ahead and discover new and exciting opportunities for growth and partnership,” Ortola said.
