With its increased popularity due to the restricted movement of consumers, the city council has raised the need to regulate the operation of food delivery services in Baguio to maintain the safety of consumers and motorists.
The council, on motion of Councilor Lilia Fariñas, proposed an ordinance regulating food delivery services such as Food Panda, Food Grab, and Food Ninja and establishing procedures in the issuance of permits and licenses to all those involved in such industry.
The council noted reports from the Baguio City Police Office that while traffic movement was limited during the past months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, six of the eight accidents recorded from March 16 to May 30 involved food delivery service riders using motorcycles.
The City Permits and Licensing Division (CPLD) also agreed with the observation that there are more food delivery riders when the community lockdowns were implemented.
CPLD head Allan Abayao said there were only 12 riders given permits before the lockdown but now, more than 300 are operating due to the demand for food service delivery.
The City Mayor’s Office earlier issued special permits to individuals involved in food delivery, but these have expired on May 31.
Food delivery operators were also reminded that their riders must have professional driver’s license after it was known that most these partner riders possess non-professional driver’s license.
A representative from Land Transportation Office said pursuant to Republic Act 4136, motorcycle riders including those involved in food delivery must have professional driver’s license.
Representatives of Food Grab, Food Panda, and Food Panda who attended the council session appealed for time for their riders to comply with the requirement.
The city council, on motion of Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, passed a resolution requesting the Department of Transportation to grant a moratorium of 30 days and not to apprehend food deli-very riders within that period to enable them to obtain professional driver’s license.
Councilor Michael Lawana also proposed that food delivery operators be required to conduct orientations on food safety and health protocols in coordination with the City Health Services Office and the BCPO so that a certificate of completion will be issued and become a basis in the grant of a permit or renewal of such before they could operate.
The food operators said they are implementing measures to assure that their partner riders compy with traffic and safety rules to avoid road accidents.
Hanna C. Lacsamana
Health, 6-7-2020
Discussion about this post