Sky’s the limit for Grab

Grab, along with the DICT, DOTr, and property developer Megaworld, is kicking off a test run to see if drones can help improve delivery services in the Philippines. The goal is to find out if these unmanned aircraft can speed things up, especially in busy city areas, by avoiding the usual traffic jams and getting important items where they need to go, faster.

The pilot will explore a hybrid delivery model, where Grab delivery partners handle pick-ups and drop-offs from dedicated drone landing stations, while drones take care of the in-between journey for faster and more seamless deliveries.

“We are constantly exploring new technologies that could help us serve our communities better, such as drone-powered deliveries. 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,” Ronald Roda, Grab Philippines managing director, said.

“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.”

Because the Philippines is made up of thousands of islands and more people are turning to online shopping, it’s actually a pretty good place to try out drone deliveries. This pilot run is also part of a bigger effort to upgrade how things move around the country, while making sure the technology is safe, practical, and focused on helping people.

For now, the drone tests will happen between two Megaworld locations in Metro Manila. It’s a controlled setup so the team can closely study how drones perform in real-world conditions, from tech and safety to government rules. Initial access to the pilot will be limited to select consumers and merchant partners within the chosen Megaworld townships.

DICT, DOTr, Grab and Megaworld have all agreed to team up by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. It’s a first step toward working together on how drone deliveries might work in the country. The agreement also opens the door for more trial runs, shared learnings and helping the public understand how drones could become part of everyday delivery services.

Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative in rethinking mobility for a rapidly urbanizing nation. “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. 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 a meaningful and responsive regulatory framework.”

DICT Undersecretary for Special Concerns Christina Faye Condez-de Sagon emphasized the government’s interest in shaping innovation that fills meaningful gaps in access and logistics. “We see this as an opportunity to guide the responsible use of drone technology. Our role is to ensure that it benefits people while also supporting the nation’s digital transformation agenda.”

Tyrone Tan, cluster general manager of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, added that the pilot supports the company’s vision for smarter communities. “We are committed to building future-ready cities. Partnering on drone delivery allows us to offer more sustainable, efficient, and forward-thinking services to our residents, office workers and mall partners.”

As more people rely on deliveries and traffic keeps getting worse in many Philippine cities, this drone project could be a glimpse into how things might change. If it works out, Grab might roll it out in more places and even set up regular drone routes to help take some of the load off our crowded roads.