The deliveries have made the current situation much more easier for anyone to access and buy products through online platforms. The products are delivered to the buyers through the delivery riders. However there are buyers who purposely cancel their orders for the sake of pranks. When this happens, the delivery rider is left to take responsibility of the cancelled order.

Regarding this issue, AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin filed House Bill 6958 or the Food and Grocery Delivery Services Act. This bill prohibits cancellation of transactions from food and grocery delivery service providers when delivery riders have already advanced the payment for the items or the items are already in transit to the customer.

The violators will get the penalty of prision mayor or at least six years of jail time and must pay Php100,000 fine. They must reimburse the food and delivery service providers for the value of the items advanced by the rider. Violators of this bill should also pay the provider an amount of money double the fee charged for the canceled transaction.

According to the bill, “This covers instances wherein customers order food and/or grocery items for the purpose of pranking or those who have no genuine intention of availing of the service which causes damage and undue duress to the Delivery Riders and their corresponding services.”

“It can be lowered if the proper committee finds it too harsh. It’s still subject to amendment anyway,” Alfredo Garbin told CNN Philippines.

“Pero laganap kasi ang pangloloko sa deliveries kaya this bill should serve as an announcement and sink into the consciousness na sersoyo dito ang Congress,” he stated.