THE REQUEST by the Davao Delivery Riders Association to exempt its members from securing a permit is being reviewed, the City Business Bureau said on Monday.
During the Madayaw Dabaw episode on Monday, Maribel Paguican, business bureau chief, said the 20th City Council, specifically the committee on trade and commerce, is studying the petition of the riders to find a win-win solution for everyone.
“Nag-evolve man ang atong mga balaodnon. Gina-research jud kung unsa nga balaod ang ma-apply sa ilaha currently (Our laws are constantly evolving. They are researching what particular law applies to them),” Paguican said.
However, she declined to elaborate on the measure since the proposal is still at the committee level.
As the implementing office, she said the City Business Bureau will only wait for the final version for execution. Paguican stressed the riders need not worry since zero measures hinder them from conducting their services in the city.
“Wala man sila ginaharangan sa ilang negosyo tungod atong gi-respeto pud ang gipagawas nga resolution sa atong council, halimbawa pagdakop sa ilaha, walay mga ingana nga gibuhat (We are not blocking them from doing their jobs as we are respecting the resolution issued by our council. For example, we are not apprehending them),” she added.
The business bureau recorded around 2,500 registered delivery riders in the city.
To note, the United Davao Delivery Riders Association (UDDRA) gathered on the grounds of Sanguniang Panlungsod on Nov. 5, during the scheduled session of the 20th City Council, to demand anew the exclusion from securing a business permit.
In a collective statement, the delivery riders feared they might still pay another 25% on top of annual fees during the business permit renewal in January 2025.
In January this year, Councilor Bernard Al-ag proposed the passage of a resolution and ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 0612-21 to institutionalize their exemption from paying fees.
Ordinance No. 0612-21 categorized all food delivery riders as individual service contractors and therefore, must secure business permits.
