More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.
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| https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/10/31/2483706/grab-nears-pre-pandemic-fleet-count-60000-units |
Ride-hailing giant Grab Philippines may return to its pre-pandemic fleet count before the end of the year following the government’s decision to add cars for transport network vehicle services (TNVS).
Grab Philippines managing director Ronald Roda yesterday said the super app is on track to reach this year its pre-pandemic fleet, estimated at about 60,000 in 2019.
In September, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced it is issuing certificates of public convenience (CPC) for new TNVS operators in Metro Manila to boost transport supply ahead of the holiday season.
The common supply base for TNVS in Metro Manila is 65,000 as identified in 2018. However, the LTFRB said 13,369 CPCs have expired without an application for extension as of June, and this trimmed TNVS supply in Metro Manila.
“I think with the upcoming number of cars, we might (hit our pre-pandemic fleet) depending on how many we could get. But yes, traditionally, it is taking us forever to get back to pre-pandemic supply,” Roda said.
Roda noted that Grab has struggled to retrieve its pre-pandemic fleet after mobility requirements changed drastically in the lockdown aftermath.
Grab was most popular as a home-to-office transport prior to the pandemic, Roda said, but this is no longer the case these days, as customers are booking for leisure purposes mostly.
“People work from home, so it is not the same anymore. Pre-pandemic, the number one use case for Grab is office, but today, it’s leisure. It has changed because of habits and work,” Roda said.
Grab yesterday launched in Marikina City its first livelihood facility of its kind in Southeast Asia called Asenso Center. The hub stands on a one-hectare property, and Grab will use it to introduce partners to digital tools.
Likewise, the Asenso Center serves as a one-stop shop for drivers, merchants and riders to access social security. The facility houses onboarding channels from the Social Security System; Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), Philippine Health Insurance Corp.; and private insurers such as AXA and Chubb.
In 2022, Grab pledged to President Marcos to create up to 500,000 livelihoods in the Philippines. Roda said the company has reached 73 percent of that commitment to date.
Further, Grab grew the number of merchants on its app by 30 percent on a yearly basis, as it goes aggressive in onboarding more sellers to expand their market presence.
How heartwarming it is to see a youth-led group like The Book Cradle Project actively promote child literacy in underserved communities — and do so via simple but effective initiatives such as community read-aloud sessions!
In the Philippines, many communities, especially those located in remote areas, face significant challenges due to limited access to proper literature and education. This is backed by data gathered by the World Bank, which revealed that 91% of Filipino children aged 10 struggle with basic reading comprehension.
This situation contributes to lower literacy rates and limits future educational and job opportunities. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused further damage, and the consequences of disrupted education are now evident in children of these communities.
This is why — and how — The Book Cradle Project came to be.
Founded with the goal of encouraging young minds to love reading, The Book Cradle Project was established in 2022 as a youth-led, non-profit organization. The four founding members — Ava Padilla, Maria Beatriz Paterno, Soheon Rhee, and Hailey Que Yap — were only first-year high school students at that time.
Seeing how important it was to start working on child literacy in underserved communities, they were inspired to make a difference in their local communities through The Book Cradle Project. Since being accredited by the National Coordinating Body of Clubs for UNESCO in the Philippines in coordination with the UNESCO National Commission – Department of Foreign Affairs (UNACOM-DFA) in 2023, they have worked diligently to promote literacy through community read-aloud sessions, English lessons, workshops, and book drives/donations.
The Book Cradle Project championed its first-ever read-aloud and book distribution event at Alabang Elementary School in 2023. After seeing the classroom full of eager students, they knew these interactions could truly make a difference in how children perceive literature.
Since that first visit, the organization has donated over 4,000 books to Alabang Elementary School’s library and hosted English workshops to teach creative writing to students. The Book Cradle Project only hopes to continue growing its initiatives and to inspire students to cultivate a lifelong passion for reading and literature.
Their most recent initiative was publishing "A Few Willing Hands," a powerful new picture book for children aged 12 and above, exploring sustainability and youth-led advocacy. According to the founders of The Book Cradle Project, “This book is a testament to our organization's mission: ‘Literacy sparks expression, and expression sparks change.’"
Inspired by the stories of the children they have taught, the founders felt compelled to create a narrative about climate change — an issue that is both globally urgent and locally relevant. With the rate of global warming having increased more than threefold since 1982, climate change poses a serious threat to our communities.
"A Few Willing Hands" tells readers of a compelling journey about a boy harnessing the power of his own voice to inspire others in his community.
Manuel, a typical high school student, stumbles upon a protest by the Pasig River that opens his eyes to a reality he never knew existed. As bizarre events unfold — maggots in his lunch and a mysterious flood in the clinic — Manuel realizes that no one else seems to notice.
The book follows Manuel’s journey as he tries to awaken those around him and make his voice heard. The Book Cradle Project hopes that through this story, young minds will be encouraged to become advocates and change-makers for a better world.
The book was officially released on July 26, 2025, through a launch in collaboration with National Bookstore and Shangri-La Plaza. The event featured a book signing, a Q&A panel, and a platform for people to purchase copies of the book.
All proceeds will go directly toward funding more initiatives of The Book Cradle Project, as well as projects of its international chapters. One such effort includes equipping 50 students in each chapter with solar-powered e-readers.
Since its inception in 2022, the organization has expanded its efforts globally to broaden its impact, forming international chapters in countries such as New Zealand, China, Cuba, and Korea, all united by the mission to provide children with access to literature and educational opportunities.
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| https://borgenproject.org/food-atms/ |
In narrow alleys and public markets of Quezon City, Philippines, glowing dispensers now operate under the city’s Paleng-QR Ph program, allowing residents to purchase or collect essentials through QR-enabled systems. Introduced and accelerated during the pandemic, these digital systems allow families to access essentials independently, without crowds or manual processing.
For thousands of families, it represents more than convenience; it’s peace of mind, knowing their family can eat without the stress of waiting or public scrutiny. Each quiet transaction is a small but meaningful reassurance in an unpredictable world.
What Are Food ATMs?
Food ATMs, sometimes called Grain ATMs, work like cash machines but dispense food instead of currency. Users authenticate with a biometric ID, smart card or QR pass and the machine releases a measured amount of grain based on eligibility. These systems are designed to prevent ration theft and eliminate the need for manual ledgers and oversight, making distribution more transparent and tamper-proof.
For many families, this means receiving their daily sustenance without anxiety or embarrassment, allowing them to focus on work, school and family life rather than waiting in long lines.
The Technology Behind Food ATMs
In India, the Annapurti Grain ATM can dispense up to 50 kilograms of grain within five minutes. It uses biometric verification and automation to reduce wait times by an estimated 70%, according to rollout reports from the state of Odisha. Machines are being adapted to run on solar power, making them functional even in regions with unstable electricity.
In the Philippines, the QR-based Paleng-QR initiative digitizes transactions in public markets, encouraging cashless and monitored distribution. For the families who rely on these systems, it means fewer hours spent waiting in queues and more certainty that their children will have food on the table. Each successful transaction offers a quiet reassurance that their daily needs are met efficiently and safely.
Global Expansion: Verified Examples
The concept of automated, dignity-focused resource distribution is spreading across regions:
- India: Grain ATMs under public distribution reforms provide 24/7 access and reduce dependency on ration shops.
- Kenya: Smart-card water ATMs in Nairobi slums allow users to access safe water at reduced cost and are available at any hour.
- Philippines: The Paleng-QR digitization effort is part of a government-backed strategy to integrate QR authentication for everyday essentials.
The Quiet Revolution: Food Without Shame
Beyond speed and logistics, these machines challenge an age-old problem in aid distribution: public visibility and shame. Traditional food lines force recipients to wait in crowded spaces, often creating a sense of dependency and exposure. Automated, private collection allows families to receive aid quietly, preserving dignity.
Reports from digital aid pilots show increased participation when food access is available privately and without human gatekeepers. Parents and caregivers experience relief and confidence, knowing their families can receive essentials discreetly, allowing them to focus on daily life without fear of judgment. Each quiet visit to a food ATM reinforces autonomy and trust in the support system.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Digital systems require electricity, connectivity and maintenance, which are not always guaranteed in informal settlements or disaster-prone areas. Biometric or QR technologies risk excluding people without government IDs or mobile access. Moreover, digital records can raise privacy concerns, as transaction logs reveal when and how often people collect aid.
In response, some pilot systems are introducing offline verification modes and solar-powered units to reduce exclusion. Even small technical glitches can leave marginalized families without a meal or essential supplies, making reliable and inclusive access a matter that directly impacts their daily lives and dignity.
Closing
In Quezon City, digital access points are expanding through Paleng-QR. In India, the Grain ATM continues its rollout under public distribution reforms.
Families eat, students study and parents work, without the extra burden of food insecurity. Ultimately, food ATMs are not just dispensers but quiet tools of autonomy, dignity and transformative change.
Oddly enough I could not find any more infomration on these food ATMs and that includes pictures.
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