At a time when economic uncertainties loom, livelihood opportunities are the buoy that keeps nations afloat. In the Philippines, this lifeboat can be provided by tech platforms like Grab Philippines – a company known not just for its ubiquitous transport, deliveries, and financial services, but for its earnest commitment to the economic empowerment of every Filipino.
Launched in the Philippines over a decade ago, Grab has been steadfast in creating economic empowerment for Filipinos. Early this year, the company has pledged 500,000 livelihood opportunities to the Philippine government – a tall promise, but one that could prove transformative for the nation as it fights the economic aftershocks of the global pandemic.
Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz says “As a superapp, we are leveraging our scale, expertise, and deep understanding of the needs of our kababayans, to relentlessly create meaningful livelihood opportunities for all.”
Accelerating Economic Empowerment: Mobility at the Helm
In tandem with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Grab has accelerated the onboarding of thousands of new drivers onto its platform, making it more convenient for more passengers to book a ride. This commitment echoes the national agenda of livelihood creation and the DOTr’s priority of providing convenient, safe, and affordable mobility options for all Filipinos.
Following Grab’s meeting with President Marcos, Jr. earlier this year, Grab Philippines has created new livelihood opportunities for more than 35,000 riders, drivers, and operators nationwide. While there is a long road ahead to reach its goal of 500,000 new livelihoods, Grab is fully committed to doing its part to make this happen. The company continues to work hand-in-hand with all branches of the Government to ensure that driver-, rider-, and delivery-partners have meaningful livelihoods that can transform their lives for the better, and that no one is left behind. Grab Philippines is optimistic that once the regulatory framework on Motorcycle Taxis is further simplified and enhanced, more livelihood opportunities will be unlocked.
Officially joining the GrabCar fleet this year is 52-year-old Gregorio Garcia. Garcia has been a dedicated GrabCar driver-partner since 2016, initially having to pay a fee to rent a car from an operator.
“Grab has been a tremendous help to me, providing significant support, particularly in terms of finances. It enables us to meet nearly all of our essential needs, such as household expenses, electricity, and water bills. Thanks to Grab, I now have my own vehicle. I’m already making plans to acquire another one in the coming years and be an official TNVS operator. I am sincerely grateful to Grab for all they have done,” Garcia said.
Grab Philippines’ commitment extends beyond merely providing livelihood opportunities. The essence of its pledge lies in transforming the lives of its partners, by ensuring profitable incomes that redefine futures and transcend boundaries.
This distinction is crucial. With a profitable income, a Grab driver can significantly elevate their standard of living, allowing them to provide their families with better healthcare, improved nutrition, and greater financial stability. It’s an income that can help save for a first home, break the chains of intergenerational poverty, or even fund their children’s education – dreams that may have once seemed beyond reach.
In essence, Grab Philippines is doing more than providing a service or livelihood opportunity; it is instigating a socioeconomic transformation. Its mission to ensure profitable income for every partner is a commitment to enhancing lives, enabling dreams, and building a resilient, economically empowered society. This is the transformative power of the Grab platform, the essence of its commitment, and the reason they are a valuable ally in the Philippines’ journey to economic recovery and shared prosperity.
Aiding Resilience: MSME Empowerment
Grab’s everyday services have become part of the everyday Filipino life – in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. In many cities, GrabFood has turned into a culinary and economic lifeline – feeding families and supporting businesses ranging from sari-sari stores and social sellers to mom-and-pop stores and big fastfood chains.
Grab’s support stretches beyond the spaces of everyday consumers to the backbone of the Philippine economy – micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Recognizing the vital role of MSMEs in the economic growth of the country, Grab offers initiatives to boost their business resilience and financial sustainability. To further support them, Grab regularly rolls out a healthy cadence of marketing campaigns like Indie Eats, that create awareness and drive discoverability for merchant partners.
Amid a lack of access to competitive financing for small enterprises, Grab offers accessible and hassle-free financing support to stimulate business recoveries, such as quick cashouts, cash loans, and flexible schemes.
Eisen Lim, founder of Tapapa, shared that being on the Grab platform enabled his business to successfully hedge uncertainties caused by the pandemic.
“Three months after the pandemic was announced, I had to let go of my staff because the money I had was not enough to keep them. And that is the first reason why I signed up on GrabFood, which surely has been a great help to my business. With GrabFood and the return of dine-in customers, Tapapa was able to grow from a streetside eatery to three branches of full-fledged restaurants.”
These efforts mirror the national strategy aimed at fortifying MSMEs. As per the Philippine Statistics Authority, MSMEs constituted 99.51 percent of businesses in the country in 2020, a figure that has surely risen amidst the digital transformation propelled by the pandemic.
Through its user-friendly super-app and cashless transactions, Grab has not only improved convenience for its users but has also encouraged the adoption of digital technology among Filipinos.
From January – June 2023, Grab digitally enabled over 7,000 small and medium sized businesses across the nation. This has contributed to the continued enhancement of digital literacy and financial inclusion in the country.
Grab’s commitment to merchants – particularly MSMEs, open doors to grow their business beyond the confines of their communities. By providing an expansive, digital platform, Grab empowers these merchants to tap into a larger consumer base and significantly scale their operations. This potential for growth not only ensures a sustainable income for these entrepreneurs but also paves the way for livelihood creation within their communities, creating a ripple effect of economic growth.
Staying on Course
Grab has also set its sights on expanding its services to more areas nationwide and making significant contributions to national progress. “Grab deeply cares about contributing significantly towards our country’s progress, not only by providing many more transformative, life changing economic opportunities across more regions, but also serving the needs of the Filipino people through our platform. The mission is to serve our stakeholders and enable their economic success,” adds Vera Cruz.
As the Philippines enters a new era of digital adaptability and economic recovery, it is clear that stakeholders like Grab play a significant role in shaping the nation’s economic narrative. Their pledge is not just to the government but to everyday Filipinos – a promise to do its part to bring a better tomorrow for all.
