Senate body backs bill vs hoax orders
SENATE Committee on Trade chaired by Senator Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III has approved a measure seeking to criminalize “hoax ordering” in a bid to protect delivery riders.
The bill seeks to criminalize several prohibited acts, such as placing of “hoax orders,” cancellation of confirmed orders, and refusal to receive unpaid orders.
“The recent incidents of fake booking and hoax orders are quite alarming. Those acts must be criminalized. Nagtatrabaho ang ating mga riders nang maayos. Yung iba ay inaabot pa ng madaling araw sa kalye para kumita ng pera. Hindi sila dapat linoloko,” Pimentel said.
Based on the bill, the act of using another person’s personal information when registering for any food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service will also be penalized.
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.
The measure also mandates 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.
In filing the committee report, Pimentel underscored the urgent need to protect delivery riders of all food, grocery and pharmacy delivery services amid the rising cases of unjust order cancellations and bogus transactions.
“We need a law protecting our delivery riders and drivers. It is very timely and relevant. Even after the pandemic, this measure will be relevant because we have now grown accustomed to online services,” he said.
