Google grants $1.5Mn Search Ad to PH gov’t

Technology giant Google is set to provide the Philippine government with an additional $1.5 million in a “Search Ad” grant to support its COVID-19 information drive.
Given through its philanthropic arm Google.org, the firm aims to support the government in keeping people safe and informed amid the ongoing pandemic through “surfacing important messages online [and delivering public service announcements.”
Search Ads allow users to display their website listing at the top of the search results and drive more traffic to their website. By providing ad grants, Google said it is helping government agencies amplify their messages at no cost.
The agencies included in the grant are the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
From March 2020 to January 2022, Google said its Search Ad grants supported more than 107 million COVID–related public service announcements in the Philippines. It also drove over 11 million visits to authoritative health websites locally.
The company has also provided other forms of support to the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic — including funding vaccines, health kits, and training for healthcare workers.