The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the measure that seeks to prohibit hoax orders and protect delivery riders and drivers from cancelled bookings and fake deliveries.
With 23 affirmative votes, the chamber unanimously approved Senate Bill 2302, which prohibits any scheme where the delivery driver and rider of food, grocery, and pharmacy items would have to make an advanced payment to fulfill orders.
Sen. Koko Pimentel, who sponsored the measure, expressed alarm on the rising number of fake booking and hoax orders as more people rely on online bookings during the pandemic.
"If this bill is passed into law, that arrangement of the driver or rider advancing the money to fulfill an online order shall no longer be allowed,” he said.
Under the measure, delivery service providers will be required to shoulder the cost of the bill in case of hoax orders. Customers will also be mandated to submit a valid proof of identity when registering to an online delivery platform, subject to data privacy laws.
Persons that would be found guilty of cancelling confirmed orders unless allowed by the delivery service, placing hoax orders, or refusing to receive unpaid orders will be slapped with a penalty of up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to P100,000.
Delivery service providers that would require their riders to make advance payments would also be slapped with the same penalties upon conviction as well as revocation of their licenses and permits.
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