PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the need to further strengthen the social protection given to individuals engaged in delivery services in the country as he filed Senate Bill No. 1184 or the proposed "Food, Grocery, and Pharmacy Delivery Services Protection Act of 2022".

Go noted that it is undeniable how deliveries of food, grocery, supplies, and even medical supplies have become the preferred way of consumers, especially as these services allow them to receive what they need without leaving the comforts of their own homes. Given the increase in demand, Go stressed that the delivery service sector has clearly helped the country survive the health crisis.

Despite braving the risk of the pandemic, delivery riders unfortunately sometimes face unfair practices and appalling incidence of fake or cancelled bookings and orders. This led the legislator to push for strengthened social and welfare protection for the country’s delivery riders, and ensure that the rights and safety of both the customers and riders are upheld in every transaction.

“Tinuturing nating mga frontliners ang ating mga delivery riders dahil sinisugurado nila na maihatid sa inyo ang inyong kinakailangan habang sinasakripisyo nila ang kanilang kalusugan. Kaya naman marapat lang sa gobyerno ang mabigyan sila ng kinakailangan nilang proteksyon,” underscored Go.

“Napakalaki po ng kontribusyon nila sa ating ekonomiya. Bukod sa mabilis na paraang makabili ng pagkain, nagbibigay rin ang industriyang ito ng maayos na kabuhayan sa ating mga kababayan sa ligtas at marangal na paraan,” he added.

Under the proposed law, it shall be prohibited for any food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service provider to require riders or drivers to shell out any monetary amount for the fulfillment of orders. In case of cancellation of orders, the service providers shall still pay the delivery riders for their services as though the transaction was successful.

More so, any service provider who will violate the prohibition on requiring monetary advances from delivery riders shall be subject to penalty fees.

The law shall also adopt a "Know-Your-Customer Rules", which shall require the customers, prior to the registration with their mobile phone applications, internet websites or other similar platforms, to submit a valid proof of identity. This shall likewise be implemented by the service providers.

“Hindi po biro ang pinagdadaanan ng ating mga delivery riders. Nakakalungkot man po, pero may mga kababayan po tayo na minsan po ay niloloko ang ating mga riders at hindi nila alam kung gaano kalaking kawalan ito sa hanapbuhay nila,” expressed Go.

In addition, any person who shall commit any of the prohibited acts, such as using another person’s personal information, cancellation of confirmed orders, placing a hoax order, and refusal to receive unpaid order, shall also be subjected to penalties.

“Marangal ang trabaho ng isang delivery rider o driver. Sa harap ng pagsubok ng pandemya at iba pang krisis, sinikap nilang pumasok sa ganitong hanapbuhay para may maiuwi sa kanilang mga pamilya. Kaya proteksyunan natin ang kanilang kapakanan bilang mga frontliners na may malaking parte sa ating kabuhayan at ekonomiya,” he urged. (OSBG)