Ride-hailing service Grab Philippines has appointed Ronald Roda as the company’s country head, while his predecessor, Grace Vera Cruz, is now the head of regional corporate strategy.
In a statement on Monday, Sept. 23, Grab said that this “planned succession” reflects the firm’s commitment to its organizational leadership, as Roda has taken on the role of chief operating officer and managed the GrabCar business for six years.
“Under his leadership, Grab expanded its reach from eight cities to over 200 cities in the Philippines since 2018,” the ride-hailing app said.
According to Grab, Roda’s expertise was able to sustain business operations after the effects of the pandemic when GrabCar had been temporarily shut down.
Presently, the newly appointed country head has helped the company bring in 72,000 livelihood opportunities in the first half of this year, totaling 270,000 since 2023.
“My goal is to continue making Grab a true partner for growth, providing innovative solutions that benefit Filipinos across the nation. Together, we will further enhance the quality of life for our consumers and driver-partners, and strengthen the pathways for success for our MSMEs and corporate partners, ensuring that Grab remains a vital contributor to the Philippines' socio-economic development,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Cruz would pursue her work within her regional capacity to further support the Philippine market and Grab’s partnerships.
“As I transition to my new regional role, I am filled with confidence, optimism, and excitement for Grab Philippines and our new Country Head. Ronald's dedication and deep understanding of the industry make him the perfect leader for this next chapter,” she said.
“I encourage everyone to extend to him the same level of support and trust that you have generously given me as we continue our journey to drive growth and success for Grab and the Filipino community.”