Lapid files bill to protect delivery drivers from unjust order cancellations

Food delivery workers continue to provide service despite the community quarantine declared by the Philippine government during the COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown in Manila on March 20, 2020. (Photo by Maria TAN / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill seeking imprisonment of up to six months and a fine not exceeding P100,000 for customers who will make unjustified cancellation of orders in food and grocery delivery service platforms for at least three times a month.

Lapid filed Senate Bill 1677, which seeks to protect delivery drivers by requiring food and grocery delivery service providers to set up a mandatory reimbursement scheme for unjust cancellation of orders.

“If a customer cancels for at least three (3) times in a period of one (1) month, he/she, upon conviction, be subject to the penalty of arresto mayor or imprisonment of one month and one day to six months, the bill stated.”

Lapid noted that a growing number of Filipinos opt to avail of delivery services for food and other items amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic when the public is advised to stay at home.

Some delivery service drivers, however, have been victimized by unjustified cancellation of orders and even of “no-show” customers, even if the drivers have already paid for the ordered items in advance.

“Masakit isipin na sa kabila ng panganib na hinaharap ng mga delivery rider para lamang makapagserbisyo sa mga customer at kumita ng maliit na halaga, sa huli, sila pa ang naloloko,” Lapid said in a statement on Tuesday.

(It is painful to think that despite the danger faced by delivery riders for the sake of serving customers and earning  meager income, they are sometimes being duped.)

“Bukod sa nasasayang ang oras at salapi ng mga riders dahil sa pagkansela ng order, ang mas malala pa, may mga pagkakataon na ni hindi matunton ang address ng nanlokong customer dahil sa fake address. Hindi tuloy sila mapanagot at naiiwang lugi at abunado ang mga delivery riders,” the senator added.

(Aside from the time and money wasted because of cancelled orders, some customers also can’t be located since they give fake addresses. Thus, they cannot be held liable and the delivery riders will have to shoulder the expense.)

Lapid pointed out that the bill will require delivery service providers to establish a reimbursement scheme for the delivery drivers in case orders are cancelled.

Reimbursement to the drivers should be made within one day from the cancellation under the bill.

To facilitate collection against customers who cancel orders, the bill also requires delivery service providers to implement know-your-customer rules which include the submission and verification of proof of identity and residential address subject to compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Under the bill, food and grocery delivery service providers that will fail to set up a reimbursement scheme will also be penalized with a fine not exceeding P500,000 and double the amount of money not reimbursed to delivery drivers.

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