Pilot Study Set For Pioneering Drone-Powered Commercial Delivery In PH

The stage has been set to test and explore the potential of drone-powered commercial delivery—or aerial logistics—in the Philippines.

Grab said the pilot explores the potential for faster fulfillment of time-sensitive items by sidestepping traffic bottlenecks.

Technology “superapp” Grab Philippines, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and property developer Megaworld Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 24, 2025, to collaboratively conduct the study.

The MOU enables the rollout of activities for this pioneering endeavor, opening up opportunities for the parties to jointly examine potential use cases, evaluate learnings, and help raise public awareness of drone-enabled services.

The pilot study will utilize a hybrid model in which drone-powered delivery will initially take place between two Megaworld township properties in Metro Manila.

Grab delivery partners will handle pick-ups and drop-offs from dedicated drone landing stations in these two locations, while the drones will handle the middle leg of the journey—offering faster and more seamless deliveries.

Under this controlled setup, the parties will assess the operational, technical, and regulatory considerations of drone deployment in real-world environments. Initial access to the pilot will be limited to select consumers and merchant partners within the chosen Megaworld townships.

Overall, the initiative aims to test whether unmanned aerial vehicles can transform urban logistics in one of the region’s most densely populated environments.

Grab said the pilot explores the potential for faster fulfillment of time-sensitive items by sidestepping traffic bottlenecks.

The MOU was signed by Booey Bonifacio, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Grab Philippines; Allan Punay, Manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Dumaguete Airport (representing the DOTr); DICT Undersecretary Christina Faye Condez-de Sagon; and Tyrone Tan, Cluster General Manager of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

DOTr 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,” he underscored.

Grab Philippines Managing Director Ronald Roda said, “This pilot goes beyond showcasing innovation. We are constantly exploring new technologies that could help us serve our communities better, such as drone-powered deliveries.”

He added, “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. We’re optimistic about the insights this pilot will bring, and we look forward to co-creating solutions that benefit everyone in the ecosystem—consumers, merchant-partners, and our delivery-partners.”

The MOU was signed by Booey Bonifacio, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Grab Philippines; Allan Punay, Manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Dumaguete Airport (representing the DOTr); DICT Undersecretary Christina Faye Condez-de Sagon; and Tyrone Tan, Cluster General Manager of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

According to Grab, the Philippine geography—marked by its archipelagic layout and growing reliance on e-commerce—presents an ideal testbed for drone-based logistics.

The pilot study is thus also part of a broader push to modernize transport and delivery systems, ensuring that new technologies are deployed in a responsible and people-centered manner.

DICT’s Condez-de Sagon affirmed, “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.”

Megaworld’s Tan added that the pilot supports the company’s vision for smarter communities, saying, “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.”

Grab emphasized, “With cities across the Philippines facing rising delivery demand and gridlocked thoroughfares, the drone pilot offers a potential blueprint for integrating aerial logistics into commerce nationwide.”