SEN. Christopher 'Bong' Go urged authorities to investigate fake food delivery bookings and abusive customers.
Go highlighted the important role of food delivery riders amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and called for the promotion of their welfare.
The senator asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcers to crack down on fake bookings, saying that such incidents would cause riders to pay for the cost of the items.
'Nakausap ko na rin po si NBI Director Eric Distor at nakatutok na rin po sila dito. Ayon sa kaniya, nag-intensify na po ang kampanya laban sa scammers or individuals placing fake orders (I have already talked to NBI Director Eric Distor and they are on this case. According to him, they have already intensified the campaign against scammers or individuals placing fake orders),' Go disclosed.
'Pwede po kayong lumapit sa NBI cybercrime division para i-report ang mga ito. Maliit mang halaga o malaki, pananagutin natin ang mga manlolokong ito( You can report these incidents to the NBI cybercrime division. Whether it's a small or big amount, we will hold these scammers accountable!),' he said.
Go also called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to intensify their efforts to promote the welfare of food deliverers and protect them from fraudulent transactions.
'Pagdating naman sa mga manloloko na nagpapahirap sa buhay ng ating food delivery riders, hindi po natin palalampasin ito. Mayroon tayong mga batas, tulad ng Revised Penal Code at Cybercrime Law, na pwedeng gawing basehan ng kaso laban sa mga nagsasamantala (When it comes to these scammers who make life hard for our food delivery riders, we will not allow them to go free without answering for their acts. We have the laws, such as the Revised Penal Code and Cybercrime law that can be the basis for the cases against the abusers),' Go said.
Go assured food delivery riders that they will be included in the Covid-19 vaccine priority list.
'Pagdating sa bakuna, parte po ang food delivery riders sa A4.4 category ng frontline workers in food retail, including food service delivery. Kasama sila sa bilang ng economic frontliners na araw-araw nagtatrabaho para buhayin ang kanilang pamilya at ang ating ekonomiya (When it comes to the vaccine, the food delivery riders belong to the A4 category of the frontline workers in food retail, including food service delivery. They are included as economic frontliners that need to work on a daily basis in order to support their families and our economy),' Go said.