Delivery riders who usually bear the brunt of fake or hoax orders will surely benefit if a bill against hoax ordering being pushed before the Senate becomes a law. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to criminalize “hoax ordering” in a bid to protect delivery riders.
Senate Bill No. 2302, or the proposed Food, Grocery, and Pharmacy Delivery Services Protection Act, was approved with 23 affirmative votes, no negative votes and no abstentions.
The proposed law seeks to criminalize several prohibited acts, such as placing of “hoax orders,” cancellation of confirmed orders, and refusal to receive unpaid orders.
The bill also prohibits food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service app providers from requiring their delivery riders and drivers to advance money for the payment of the orders.
It also requires these delivery service app providers to “establish a mandatory reimbursement scheme in favor of delivery riders and drivers in case of cancellation of confirmed orders.”
Under the bill, the implementation of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules will also be required. These rules entail the submission and verification of proof of identity and residential address of customers, subject to compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
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