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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Grab Philippines kicks off drone delivery study in Metro Manila

Grab Philippines kicks off drone delivery study in Metro Manila

Published Jun 24, 2025 12:34 pm
Ride-hailing service company Grab Philippines is paving the way for the future of urban logistics with a pilot study on drone-powered commercial delivery capable of seamlessly navigating densely populated areas.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 24, Grab said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and property developer Megaworld Corp. to launch the pilot test.
The pilot aim to assess whether unmanned aerial vehicles are a viable option for faster fulfillment of time-sensitive items.
Grab is set to implement a hybrid delivery model, where its partner riders would handle pick-ups and drop-offs from dedicated drone landing stations.
The drones will then deliver the package between two townships owned by Megaworld in Metro Manila.
Initial access to the pilot test will be limited to select consumers and merchant partners within the chosen properties.
Grab said this setup will enable the company to assess the operational, technical, and regulatory considerations of drone deployment in real-world environments.
“This pilot is an opportunity for us to learn and understand how drone deliveries might work in the Philippine context, from dense urban neighborhoods to underserved areas,” said Grab Philippines Managing Director Ronald Roda.
“We’re optimistic about the insights this pilot will bring, and we look forward to co-creating solutions that benefit everyone in the ecosystem—from consumers, merchant-partners, and our delivery-partners,” he added.
With cities across the Philippines facing rising delivery demand and increasingly intense traffic, the pilot test for the drone service will provide a blueprint for integrating aerial logistics into commerce needs.
If proven viable, Grab said it will consider bringing the pilot test to additional locations, as well as the potential to build so-called drone corridors to relieve pressure from major thoroughfares.
Based on the MOU, the company and the government is keen on exploring other opportunities to examine possible use cases, other applications, and help spur public awareness of drone delivery.
“This pilot reflects the kind of innovation we want to encourage as we build a truly modern transport ecosystem, without compromising the safety and security of our air transport through meaningful and responsive regulatory framework,” said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.
“If we want to solve traffic and improve connectivity in a meaningful way, we have to think beyond roads. Drone logistics is one of the tools that can help us move faster, smarter, and more sustainably,” he added.

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