MANILA, Philippines, 29 July 2024 – Various alliance groups comprised of driver-, delivery-, and rider-partners of leading ride-hailing platforms Grab Philippines and Move It have lauded the proactive initiatives of the two transportation network companies (TNCs) to ensure their safety and mitigate the impact on their income of Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon or “habagat”.
In a joint statement, the Motorcycle Taxi Community, Habalyeros, TNVS Community Philippines, and One Goal Rider Community, whose members are driver-delivery or rider-partners of the TNCs, said the measures put in place by Grab and Move It allowed them to prioritize their safety while continuing to provide services on the on-demand platforms, thereby striking a balance between their financial needs and personal well-being.
“Sa aming hanay, hindi madali ang desisyong itigil ang aming pang-araw-araw na paghahanap-buhay sa paghahatid ng mga pasahero, kahit na paiba-iba ang lagay ng panahon. Ito ang aming pangunahing pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan. Kaya’t labis naming pinahahalagahan ang suporta ng Move It at ng Grab dahil naramdamaman namin na sila ay aming maasahan sa pagsigurado na kahit papaano kami ay kikita pa rin habang ligtas na bumabiyahe sa kalsada,” said Romeo of the Motorcycle Taxi Community.
At the onset of Typhoon Carina, Grab and Move It have proactively communicated to its partners, advising them to prioritize their safety and well-being, as well as activated programs designed to protect the economic welfare of partners, especially those who were affected by the harsh weather conditions.
Among these programs are the following:
- GrabCare & MOVE IT Malasakit Calamity Assistance Programs
Through the GrabCar and MOVE IT Malasakit Calamity Assistance Programs, drivers and riders severely affected by Typhoon Carina have the opportunity to submit assistance claims via their respective help centers. Each individual’s situation will be meticulously evaluated by a dedicated incident response team, ensuring that every case receives the necessary attention, prompt action, and comprehensive support. As of today, approximately PHP 2.4M has been disbursed, with additional applications currently being processed.
- OneGrab Relief Efforts
Community leaders from various Grab and MOVE IT driver and rider communities have also launched a series of relief operations in disaster-affected areas throughout Metro Manila. The volunteers, comprised of dedicated drivers and riders, visited Caloocan, Montalban, Rizal, Malanday, Navotas, Pasay, and Marikina to distribute more than 2,500 relief packages. More than 3,800 cleaning kits and hygiene sets were also donated to various organizations and local government units.
Their mission extends beyond their own communities, reaching out to the families of fellow riders and drivers across various on-demand service platforms, demonstrating a unified front in these challenging times.
- Revised Platform Metrics
Grab and MOVE IT, both recognized for their commitment to service quality, usually consider factors such as passenger rating and feedback to enhance the platform experience. In light of the recent Typhoon Carina, both Grab and MOVE IT are adopting a more relaxed approach towards these metrics. This thoughtful adjustment aims to support the earning potential of its dedicated drivers and riders who choose to remain online, offering them a helpful lift during these difficult times.
- GrabFinance Loan Payment Holiday
As part of their response to the financial hardships induced by Typhoon Carina, Grab and MOVE IT are introducing a Loan Payment Holiday. This strategic relief measure temporarily halts the daily collection of payments on existing loans for drivers and riders. This initiative is designed to alleviate the financial burden on their partners, enabling them to better navigate through these challenging times.
As safety remains paramount, Grab has also leveraged its technology for mapping safe routes through GrabMaps — Grab’s very own navigation system employed by both platforms – and utilized real-time information and reports by active rider- and delivery-partners on the road to guide them to safe and passable routes.
“Nakaka-proud na makita na buong-buo ang bayanihan sa buong komunidad ng Grab at Move It mula sa aming mga drivers at riders, pati na rin sa mga namumuno ng dalawang platforms,” according to Ninoy of TNVS Community Philippines.
“Ikinatutuwa rin ng ating mga kasamahan ang patuloy na dayalogo na isinasagawa ng Grab and Move It upang sama-sama kaming makagawa ng mga solusyon para matulungan ang mga nasalanta ng bagyo sa ating hanay. Nakapaka-halaga na malaman na marami kaming magkakasangga sa pagbangon, kasama ang Grab, Move It, at ang mga masisipag na driver at rider sa ating napakalakas na komunidad,” he added.
