The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced reforms Tuesday for delivery services, aiming to better support and protect riders.
DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said these changes in the Private Express and/or Messengerial Delivery Service (PEMEDES) sector, would include a one-time fuel subsidy for riders. The DICT will also help riders get PhilHealth benefits and access Pag-IBIG loans.
Aguda said these benefits would only be accessible to operators and drivers officially registered with the DICT.
“When the delivery provider registers, we can track their performance. The beauty of that is, we can ensure that their service is good. As for their riders, we can provide them with benefits like fuel subsidy, we can help them with PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG,” Aguda said.
The DICT will launch a new, automated PEMEDES website next month in conjunction with National ICT Month, anticipating an influx of registrants.
The new website will measure and track the performance of all delivery service providers. Delivery time, loss rate and other service metrics will also be made public to guide consumers in choosing a reliable company.
The PEMEDES reforms also aim to address frequent public complaints regarding poor package delivery.
“Many people complain, like what you experience when a package is delivered, it is delivered incorrectly or as our friend James Deakin said, some complain that couriers are changed and then you cannot cancel the delivery. We will ensure that with the new PEMEDES system, all of that will be eliminated,” Aguda said.
Under Republic Act No. 10844, or the DICT Act of 2015, the agency has regulatory authority over PEMEDES operators. The reforms are part of President Marcos’ broader goal to accelerate digitalization, streamline public services, and expand opportunities for all, including delivery riders, often called “frontliners of the modern era”, he said.
