Grab Philippines and HOPE have launched a new public school classroom in Manito, Albay after raising approximately P1.4 million through in-app donations, turning everyday rides, food delivery and rewards points into funding for education infrastructure.
Funding came from a combination of user-donated GrabRewards points through GrabBaanihan, which allowed customers to channel “GrabCoins” to the project; and a dedicated “Grab Hope Hour” drive that generated additional donations from GrabCar rides and GrabFood deliveries during a designated 60-minute window.
The classroom will be constructed inside Inang Maharang Elementary School, which serves more than 100 students in remote areas of Manito. The site was selected after Typhoon Uwan damaged public facilities in the area and destroyed two temporary classrooms at the school, the partners said, leaving students without a safe learning space and highlighting the need for more permanent, flexible structures.
“Grab is dedicated not only to moving goods and people, but also to mobility,” says Ronald Roda, Country Head of Grab Philippines. Malasakit in the process. Together with HOPE, we are giving our users an easier way to participate in digital statementTransforming their everyday rides, deliveries and rewards into real classes. These are new safe spaces where Filipino children can learn, dream, and grow. By making it easier for communities to support these initiatives, we help build a strong foundation for the country's next generation.
The Grab & Hope classroom is designed as a 7-by-9-meter learning space with four windows, a wall-mounted electric fan, full electrical wiring with outlets and light fixtures, and a one-room bathroom with full plumbing. It will also include standard interior fixtures such as teacher desks and chalkboards.
HOPE Founder and Executive Chair Nanette Medved-Poe outlined how partnerships are a key part of HOPE's programs and are having a significant impact on public school education. “We are very excited about the ways we can continue to work with the Grab community to contribute and make an impact on public school education in the Philippines. Hope’s partnership with Grab has been so engaging and exciting for their customers: from converting their Grab points to donations, to raising our first Grab Hope Hour last October, when every ride, every order contributed to the classroom we are building in Bicol. This classroom is one of those many The classes are the first that we hope will not only guarantee safe access to learning but also inspire communities for good around business. We look forward to more activities with Grab and more classes for our public schools this coming new year.”
The companies plan to continue the collaboration until 2026 while expanding infrastructure and development initiatives beyond Bicol. To participate, users can navigate to the GrabRewards catalog in the app and allocate points to HOPE.
“This class serves as the starting line of our shared vision of closing the educational infrastructure gap in the Philippines. We are dedicated to scaling this initiative, ensuring that our technology continues to translate into tangible structures for communities across the country,” says Mr. Roda.
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