Solon seeks to penalize pranks, unreasonable cancellations on delivery services

Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. has filed a proposal to protect delivery drivers against pranks and unreasonable order cancellations.

House Bill No. 6958 punishes unreasonable cancellations of delivery orders with six to 12 years imprisonment and a P100,000 fine.

“The violator shall likewise reimburse the food and delivery service providers for the value of the food and grocery items advanced by the delivery rider and be made to pay said food and grocery delivery service provider an amount of money double the fee pertinent to the cancelled transactions,” read the bill.

The bill also prohibits the cancellation of confirmed orders when the customer had already paid for the items or when the delivery rider is already on the way with the ordered items.

Exemptions from prohibited cancellation include: when the customer uses a credit card and the payment will still be credited to the service provider despite the cancellation; the customer remits to the service provider any payment as a pre-condition for the cancellation of order; and the delivery of the items will be or was delayed for at least an hour from the expected time of arrival and such delay is not the delivery driver's fault.

The bill also seeks to punish customers who shame and humiliate delivery drivers.

The measure also requires service providers to validate customers signing up for food delivery service by asking for a valid proof of identity, residential address or proof of billing. A P1 million fine will be imposed on service providers who fail to do so.