Leading superapp Grab Philippines fortifies Cagayan de Oro’s position as a ‘Digital Champion’ and the South’s emerging ‘Smart City’ with the official launch of its flagship public-private initiative, the Grab Asenso: Digital Diskarte Program.

The introduction of the Digital Marketing and AI Learning Caravan, alongside Grab Asenso’s new mobile-first payment solutions and AI co-pilot, cements the superapp’s role as a co-builder of the city’s inclusive digital economy. These initiatives equip local entrepreneurs with the ‘digital diskarte’ needed to thrive in Mindanao’s emerging Smart City.

Grab Philippines Deputy Head for Cities Paula Catanghal shares: “With Grab Asenso, we are putting the power of the digital economy directly into the hands of every Kagay-anon entrepreneur. By democratizing access to AI and mobile-first tools, we transform technology from a privilege into a daily ‘digital diskarte’, ensuring that as Cagayan de Oro rises as a Smart City, our MSMEs are equipped to lead the charge, turning every digital transaction into a pathway for shared prosperity.”

A Stronghold for Small Businesses

The launch of Grab Asenso comes at a time when local businesses are rapidly embracing digitalization. According to recent data on the Grab platform, 8 out of 10 of the total merchant community on the GrabFood platform in Cagayan de Oro are Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) – a robust cohort of Filipino entrepreneurs that leverage the reach, data, and tech of the Grab ecosystem for their sustainable business growth.

Bernie Deatras, who represented Cagayan De Oro Mayor Klarex Uy, reaffirmed the City’s commitment to empowering MSMEs through innovation and took pride in helping build a strong, inclusive digital ecosystem for local entrepreneurs. “Digitalization is not just a trend — it’s a game changer. It opens new markets, improves efficiency and equips businesses to compete in today’s fast-changing world,” he said.
The local government, through Deatras, commended Grab for “championing a future where every MSME — big or small, rural or urban — has the tools and opportunities to succeed.”

The Department of Information, Communications and Technology (DICT) echoed the Mayor’s sentiments calling the Digital Diskarte initiative, “not just a training but an equalizer that levels the playing field, opens doors and gives our MSMEs access to tools, platforms and knowledge that once belonged only to big corporations,” Sittie Rahma Alawi, DICT Region X Director pointed out in a videtaped message addressed to the chefs, business owners, and store leads who joined the learning caravan.

“Your DICT stands with you — not just as a government agency but as a partner in your grow, because you deserve not just to participate in the digital economy, you deserve to thrive in it,” said.

Bridging the Digital Gap

Cagayan de Oro’s recent recognition as a 2024 ‘Digital Champion’ validates its leadership in digital transformation. To further accelerate this Smart City vision, Grab Asenso is deploying hands-on educational initiatives alongside mobile-first AI and cashless payment tools.

Through the Asenso Learning Caravan, held in partnership with local government and DICT, MSMEs are upskilled through specialized modules on Digital Marketing, In-App Awareness Campaigns, and practical AI applications.

Beyond training, Grab is equipping small businesses with advanced mobile technology. This includes Merchant AI Assistant, an intelligent co-pilot designed to optimize day-to-day operations like menu listing and promotion creation.

Additionally, Grab introduced Tap & Scan to Pay, a merchant payment solution that transforms the Grab Merchant app into a payment channel — enabling even the smallest neighborhood stalls to seamlessly accept credit cards and QR PH payments right in their mobile phones.

“Our belief is simple: Digital readiness is prosperity policy,” Catanghal added. “By bringing Grab Asenso to CDO, we are helping turn the city’s impressive digital infrastructure into tangible livelihood opportunities for every Kagay-anon merchant and driver.”