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GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Grab, MOVE IT launch disaster relief initiative for drivers, delivery partners
Transport service providers Grab Philippines and MOVE IT on Wednesday launched a comprehensive disaster relief and community support initiative amid the onslaught of Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. The initiative spans immediate aid and longer-term recovery support for Grab's drivers, delivery partners, merchants, and consumers. This will be rolled out in close coordination with local government units and national agencies. In a press release, Grab Philippines Managing Director Ronald Roda said, ''Our hearts go out to the communities hardest hit by this week's inclement weather. At Grab, we believe our role as a platform goes beyond connecting services—it means showing up when it matters most.' 'We are fully mobilized to support our partners and the broader public in this time of need. Through targeted financial assistance, medical support, and relief coordination, we aim to help affected Filipinos recover safely and swiftly,' Roda added. Grab and MOVE IT have also reactivated their GrabCare and MOVE IT Malasakit programs to extend financial and welfare support to those affected by the bad weather. The assistance includes: Calamity Assistance: A one-time financial grant provided to eligible partners whose vehicles—cars or motorcycles—have been damaged as a direct result of the typhoon and severe flooding; Medical and Hospitalization Support: In partnership with Cocolife, Grab is covering emergency room and hospitalization expenses due to typhoon-related incidents at accredited hospitals; and Loan Repayment Holiday: A temporary moratorium on microloan repayments for qualified drivers operating in Metro Manila, Baguio, and Pampanga, providing immediate financial relief in heavily affected urban areas. Grab also started its coordination with various localities for upcoming relief operations and clean-up drives. It also continued monitoring of on-ground conditions to evolve response and recovery programs based on emerging needs. Moreover, Grab reactivated its GrabBayanihan program — a GrabRewards redemption initiative that enables users to convert their points into donation vouchers supporting McDonald's Kindness Kitchen and World Vision. To recall, Grab also donated rubber boats and hot meals to the locality of Marikina City, an area that is severely affected by bad weather. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Grab donates rescue boats, hot meals in Marikina
Grab Philippines on Tuesday donated motorized rescue boats to the local government of Marikina City in a bid to provide support to the city's disaster preparedness and risk management. Grab also provided more than 4,000 hot meals to various evacuation centers in the city to support families affected by the bad weather. These donation efforts form part of Grab's broader community resilience efforts, particularly in areas that are vulnerable to seasonal disasters. 'We believe that bayanihan is more than just a Filipino tradition—it is a shared duty we uphold, especially in times of need. We remain steadfast in identifying communities where support is needed most and stepping in with urgency and malasakit,'' Grab Philippines managing director Ronald Roda said in a press release. ''Marikina, long vulnerable to the forces of nature, is one such community. This donation is one way we're turning that commitment into action,'' he added. Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro thanked Grab for its assistance to the local government. ''Higit ito sa simpleng kagamitan. Ito ay simbolo ng malasakit at pagtutulungan sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at pribadong sektor tungo sa mas matibay na kahandaan sa panahon ng sakuna. Sana nga po ay hindi na namin magamit o kailanganing gamitin ang mga ito. Pero malaking ginhawa ang malaman na handa tayo kung kinakailangan,'' Teodoro said. The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continued to affect the country on Tuesday, dumping rains over several areas which have led to flooding and swelling of rivers. The water level of Marikina River reached the critical third alarm with 18.3 meters on Monday evening. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA Integrated News
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Grab Philippines to pilot test drone deliveries
MANILA: Grab Philippines will soon transport packages via drones in a bid to make deliveries more seamless in densely populated areas where traffic can delay partner riders. In a statement on Tuesday (June 23), the super app operator said it would conduct a pilot study for the unmanned aerial vehicle delivery between two properties owned by Megaworld Corp. in Metro Manila. The drone-powered commercial delivery will implement a hybrid delivery model where Grab riders handle pick-ups and drop-offs from dedicated drone landing stations. The drones will make the delivery between the two points. Grab, Megaworld, Department of Transportation and Department of Information and Communications Technology inked a memorandum of understanding for this effort. 'This pilot is an opportunity for us to learn and understand how drone deliveries might work in the Philippine context, from dense urban neighborhoods to underserved areas,' Grab Philippines managing director Ronald Roda said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
Grab PH launches fully electric taxi fleet
Grab Philippines has unveiled the country's first fully electric, on-demand taxi fleet recognized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). In a news release, Grab Philippines said GrabTaxi Electric was launched in partnership with local operator EV Taxi Corp. and would begin operations in key Metro Manila hubs, including Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Parañaque, and Pasay. This rollout marks a significant regulatory and operational milestone for the Philippines, where traditional combustion engine vehicles still dominate the mobility landscape, the ride-hailing company said. Currently in beta, GrabTaxi Electric allows passengers to seamlessly book electric taxis within the Transport tab of the Grab app, alongside traditional Grab mobility services. Feedback from passengers and drivers during this phase will shape the future design, expansion, and service model of the offering. The launch of the full EV fleet builds upon Grab's June 2024 pilot study with BYD Philippines, which demonstrated the operational and financial viability of electric vehicles for both fleet operators and driver-partners, it said. 'This is not just about offering another ride option,' said Grab Philippines country head Ronald Roda. 'It's about fundamentally changing the DNA of urban transport in the Philippines—one that aligns with our sustainability commitments, empowers Filipino commuters, and creates meaningful green livelihoods. Sustainability cannot be a distant ideal; it must be something you can book, ride, and feel today.'' GrabTaxi Electric is part of Grab's broader eco-mobility strategy, which includes expanding EV adoption across its GrabCar fleet in regional cities such as Davao and Cagayan De Oro within the year, according to the ride-hailing company. 'Our partnership with Grab proves that when multinational platforms and local innovators work together, we can fast-track a cleaner, more inclusive future for transport—one that delivers value for both passengers and drivers alike,' said EV Taxi Corp. president Frankie Ang. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
