Grab helps Filipinos cope with COVID-19 through tech innovation

Grab has furthered its commitment to the Filpino communities as it introduced several innovations and initiatives that aim to actively protect those who are vulnerable and serving on the frontlines, and supporting those who are staying at home to flatten the curve.

While many companies respond to the crisis by donating cash, Grab has chosen to respond to the call of the pandemic by transforming its platform, re-focusing its resources, and banding together with its partners - both from the private and public sectors towards easing some of the toughest pain points brought by the pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted countless communities, disrupted many ways of life, and evidently slowed down the economy, Grab furthered its commitment of supporting the Filipino communities by doing what it does best - innovating for the greater good. Such innovations may have been daunting for many as the public health situation remains fluid, and the government has been doing its level best to flatten the curve.

With the suspension of public transportation in Metro Manila and other key cities across the country, Grab had to suspend a significant portion of its business - its GrabCar services. However, the desire to meaningfully contribute towards protecting and supporting the communities who have been greatly impacted by the pandemic has never been greater for Grab.

Owing to its deep understanding of the Filipino community, Grab responded to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic with the spirit of camaraderie through GrabBayanihan; and immediately used its technology and resources to (1) actively protect those who are vulnerable and serving on the frontlines, and (2) support those who are staying at home to flatten the curve.

Actively protecting those who are vulnerable and serving on the frontlines

Since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine, Grab has worked in tandem with its local government partners to support health care workers and front liners by providing free-of-charge mobility solutions in the form of GrabWheels - Grab’s e-scooter service. Close to 100 units of GrabWheels have been deployed across twelve (12) key cities  (Manila, Quezon City, Marikina, San Juan, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasay, Cainta, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao) across the country, with more than 150 units of GrabWheels awaiting deployment to other LGUs and hospitals. 

To assist local government units in distributing food and medical supplies within their cities, Grab has also developed specialized car delivery fleets that were deployed to the city governments of Quezon City, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Pasig, and Pasay. Since its deployment, this specialized delivery fleet has been supporting the local government units for free.

Grab has also used its platform to rally its users and communities by developing several donation streams and mechanics using either GrabRewards points or GrabPay. Grab was successful in harnessing the power of its platform and raised almost PHP 9M, which was used to purchase and donate almost 3,300 PPEs and 36,000 meals for the benefit of those serving on the frontlines, and more than 1,500  food bags for those who are vulnerable and greatly impacted by the pandemic.

Supporting those who are staying at home helping flatten the curve

As many Filipinos adjust their daily routines by staying at home, Grab has introduced significant innovations that aim to provide access to daily essentials and create a sense of normalcy to the lives of many impacted by the pandemic.

With the introduction of Grab’s contactless delivery policy, Grab was able to safely deliver meals, medicine, and other necessities to those staying at home and coping with the enhanced community quarantine measures. Within weeks, Grab was able to introduce a new service - GrabExpress Pabili to help buy daily necessities such as medicine and other essentials for those unable to leave their homes most especially the PWDs and Senior Citizens. Grab was also able to serve more households and communities as it continues to expand its GrabExpress services to Iloilo, Davao, Pampanga, and Bacolod.

Grab has also made cashless payments more convenient and secure for those staying at home as it expands to more cashless services. Through Grab’s tech innovation, users can now pay their bills, send money to their loved ones, or pay for food and parcel deliveries straight from the Grab app on their mobile phones.

In a time where queuing for groceries might be challenging to many, Grab made it more convenient for Filipinos to shop for daily essentials on-demand with the introduction of its GrabMart service. Now, users can simply shop for their groceries without leaving the safety of their homes.

To help provide timely and relevant public service announcements to the residents of Manila and Pasig, Grab has dedicated around PhP 2M-worth of advertising space on the Grab app to serve as an information conduit to these city governments.

“As we all cope to the disruption brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Grab has always been focused on contributing to the solution and we have chosen the path of innovation to help our kababayans - those who are serving on the frontlines, those who were left vulnerable, and those who were staying at home doing their part to flatten the curve. If there is one thing that we have learned from this crisis, it is that our humanity and care for one another has never been stronger, and that is evident in the overwhelming support that we have exchanged for one another,” says Brian Cu, Grab Philippines President. “As we chart our paths to the new normal, let us remember that the spirit of bayanihan endures in all of us and that it is our duty to keep it alive in the generations to come,” adds Cu.