Grab, Dept of Tourism strengthens PH Harvest initiative; helps Filipino farmers through digitalization

PHILIPPINES - 23 June 2020 – Committed to being a partner of micro and small businesses to take advantage of the growing digital economy, Grab, the leading everyday everything app in Southeast Asia, has recently partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to support the agency’s Philippine Harvest initiative which aims to make fresh and processed local food products more accessible to Filipino households. This partnership follows an earlier agreement between the company and the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the on-demand delivery service for DA’s eKadiwa online marketplace initiative.

Running on its 11th year, the Philippine Harvest is a joint collaboration between the DOT and Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI) in promoting local, organic, artisanal, and indigenous food. This project is now made available online, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing farmers and SMEs to showcase their products and make these more accessible to consumers. With Grab’s expansive presence and services, the company is poised to strengthen DOT’s advocacy of supporting more local agripreneurs, especially at this time of the pandemic. 

“Grab is committed to leverage on its technology to support local businesses especially as we navigate through this new reality. As we lend our support to the farmers and SME partner-merchants under the Philippine Harvest program of the Department of Tourism, we hope that more Filipinos will support locally-grown products. Each purchase from the merchants of the program will go a long way in supporting our kababayans, and in promoting our own local culture,” says Grab Philippines President Brian Cu.

Through the agreement with DOT, Grab lends its platform to increase awareness on the Philippine Harvest through a promotional tile in-app. Once clicked, users will be able to browse through all the participating merchants and the different products they offer. Further promotion will also be done by the company through its various social media assets.

Aside from awareness, merchants will be able to focus on what they do best as Grab - provide mobility through transport. Through the GrabExpress fleet, the platform will be in charge of bringing the Philippine Harvest products to the doorstep of their customers.

“We are optimistic that as we provide support to the local agripreneurs, we will be able to work as one to help their businesses grow while also providing Filipinos a more convenient and accessible way to enjoy local products,” adds Cu.