Delivery riders want permit fee scrapped

CEBU, Philippines —  The United Delivery Riders of the Philippines Cebu Chapter has appealed to the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu to scrap the rider’s delivery permit fee.  

Dennis Derige, UDRP-Cebu coordinator, said the annual permit fee amounting to more than P1,000 is adding to the financial burdens the delivery riders are suffering amid the soaring inflation.

Derige said the group will make a formal appeal during the riders’ summit set next month.

The summit is expected to gather over 1,000 delivery riders in Cebu to discuss several issues like Magna Carta for Riders, Quality Insurance for Riders, Riders Lounge in establishments, among others.

“Mao ni ang mga agenda nga i tackle during the summit and hopefully mahatagan ni og atensyon ang panginahanglan sa atong mga delivery riders,” Derige said.

According to Derige, they have initially discussed the scrapping of delivery permit with Councilor Rey Gealon who promised to sponsor an ordinance on the matter.

The group is also planning to talk to a councilor from Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu to ask support for the scrapping of delivery permit fee.

“Sila ra man ang nangolekta but other local government units in Cebu Province are not doing the same. Additional burden gyud ni sa mga delivery riders especially nisaka ang inflation. We are hoping that the delivery permit fee will be scrapped through an ordinance,” Derige said.

Traffic Violators

Meanwhile, over 4,000 traffic violators were issued citation tickets in Cebu City in the first two weeks of February alone.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) said they have already issued a total of 4,226 citation tickets from February 1 to 15, 2023. The most common violations include stopping in a no-stopping area, no license, no registration, and overloading.

This has also resulted in the impounding of 238 motorcycles, 172 e-bikes, and six private vehicles. CCTO has also clamped at least 312 vehicles during the said period.

CCTO is reminding drivers and vehicle owners to observe traffic rules at all times and for the violators to settle their violations within three days to avoid legal complications.

“Awhag namo sa mga na issuehan sa Violation Ticket sa pag settle sa inyong Violasyon sulod sa tulo (3) ka adlaw aron dili kamo ma Filan og Kaso,” CCTO posted on its social media page.— Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, FPL (FREEMAN)