MANILA, Philippines -- Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and the world’s third richest man, donated $500,000 for the victims of typhoon “Frank,” the United States-based Catholic Relief Services (CRS) said on Wednesday.

Michael Frank, CRS country representative, said the funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would be coursed through the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ National Secretariat for Social Action -- Justice and Peace. Gates, who retired from Microsoft, only a few days ago, used to be No. 1 on the list of wealthiest men of Forbes Magazine.

The foundation, Frank said, responded to the call for donations issued by the CRS, the humanitarian arm of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops soon after the typhoon.

“We were about to sign the contract. We expect it in a day or two,” Frank said.

The former Microsoft boss and his wife set up the Gates Foundation in 2000 to support health and development programs around the world. Two weeks ago, Gates stepped down as Microsoft’s chief executive officer to devote his time to philanthropy.

Frank said the funds—equivalent to P22.8 million as of Wednesday’s exchange rate—would be used to buy emergency assistance packages for families left homeless and displaced by the calamity in the Panay region and Cotabato City.

The CRS official said they have been working with Filipino-American groups who expressed their willingness to help the typhoon victims.

Nassa officials said on Wednesday they had yet to receive the funds and said it would be a big help for their relief efforts.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Nassa chair, said he was notified of the grant recently.