Ride-hailing firm Grab Philippines has launched a new initiative in a bid to support the government's mass vaccination efforts against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera-Cruz said the company, through its GrabCar Bayanihan service, aims to provide safe mobility solutions for residents going to and from vaccination centers in Metro Manila.
Vera-Cruz said the move is part of the firm's broader GrabBayanihan Vaccination Support Program, which seeks to facilitate public access to the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage consumers to get their jabs via their local government units (LGUs).
According to Grab, the service was initially beta-tested in Quezon City. They will subsequently pilot test it with over a thousand vaccinated driver-partners.
The service--which is more affordable than the regular GrabCar ride--will initially be available in Manila, Las Piñas, Taguig, Pasig, Makati, Quezon City, Pateros, and Marikina. The company said it is also working with other LGUs to extend the GrabCar Bayanihan service to their constituents.
Aside from providing safe mobility solutions to support the vaccination programs in the National Capital Region (NCR), GrabCar Bayanihan will also provide much-needed livelihood opportunities for Grab driver-partners residing in these cities.
Meanwhile, Vera-Cruz assured that Grab will remain committed to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos "most especially during these challenging times."
"By working together with our local government partners in Metro Manila on their COVID vaccination efforts, we play our part in ensuring that our kababayans are safe, well, and healthy - and we look forward to working on the same goals with the rest of our national and local government partners," the Grab Philippines official said.