Grab calls on PBA Rep. Nograles to release funds for partner drivers amid quarantine

Grab Philippines on Monday called on Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Representative Jericho Nograles to release his congressional funds to partner drivers to show "he is sincere," as the company on Monday assured that monthly amortization on vehicles is put on hold as long as an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) persists.

In a statement, Grab asked Nograles to release congressional funds to drivers to show sincerity, and that he was "not just out to get media mileage" at the expense of the company and its drivers.

"We'll be happy to help him identify drivers, so the taxpayer's money will go to the right beneficiaries. We can help him distribute this, alongside Grab's loan proceeds for drivers," Grab Philippines president Brian Cu said.

The Grab statement was in response to a statement of PBA Representative Jericho Nograles, who said that Grab could offer to pay in advance or underwrite the unpaid monthly amortization of its partners.

"We appreciate PBA Rep. Jericho Nograles's concern for the drivers, but we are already ahead of him for this issue," Cu said, noting that it requested banks to give leeway even before the statement of the lawmaker, whom it said was a "perennial critic of Grab."

Grab Philippines said it already coordinated with local banks to extend payments, as partner drivers would not be able to accept trips during the ECQ.

"Right after the declaration of Metro Manila quarantine, we foresaw the difficulties our drivers would suffer and asked or coordinated with the banks for a payment holiday. The banks happily obliged, and will extend this as needed," Cu said.

Nograles replies

In response to Grab's statement, Nograles said the funds to assist the public including Grab drivers amid the COVID-19 health situation are authorized under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.

"Ang guidelines ng Social Amelioration Package ay pinalabas na ng gobyerno ay aabot na sa mga qualipikadong mga pamilya sa buong bansa. Tulong po ito ng lahat ng congressman, senador, at ng Presidente," he said.

"Please make sure the banks and dealerships will really suspend loan repayments and adjust. I sincerely hope the banks and dealerships have already approved the packages for all Grab driver partners because I still get messages from their drivers asking for compassion from Grab," he added.

From 12:00 a.m. on March 17, the entirety of Luzon was placed on enhanced community quarantine until April 13, 2020, restricting travel within the region in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Grab transport services have been temporarily suspended during the ECQ, but delivery services continue to be available.

Grab said the following banks have agreed to provide payment holiday and loan extensions:

• Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) - 30 days
• BDO Unibank Inc. - 60 days
• East West Banking Corp. - 30 days
• Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) - 30 days
• Philippine Savings Bank (PS Bank) - 30 days
• Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) - 30 days
• Robinsons Bank Corp. - 30 days
• Security Bank Corp. - 30 days
• Toyota Financial Services - 30 days
• Union Bank of the Philippines Inc. - 30 days
• United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) - 30 days

"Our partner-banks will provide a grace period. This is on top of the other relief efforts we are arranging for our driver-partners to help them weather the current crisis," Cu said. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas with Virgil Lopez/KG/RSJ, GMA News