Lito Lapid pushes for up to 6 months jail time for repeated cancellation of food, grocery deliveries

A bill seeking to penalize repeated and unjustified cancellation of food and grocery deliveries has been filed in the Senate to protect riders who end up shouldering the cost of unclaimed goods.

Senate Bill 1677, authored by Senator Lito Lapid, seeks to impose a jail time of one month and one day up to six months for a customer convicted for cancelling orders at least thrice in a period of a month.

A fine not exceeding P100,000 shall also be meted out.

The bill likewise mandates delivery service providers to set up a reimbursement scheme that would protect their riders and drivers, in case of cancellation of already paid orders.

Failure to do so could result in fines not exceeding P500,000, and twice the amount of unreimbursed payment to their partner delivery personnel.

The out-of-pocket spending of the delivery persons for confirmed but cancelled orders must be returned to them by the service providers within one day from cancellation of orders.

Lapid said he filed the bill as the delivery industry thrived after the COVID-19 pandemic caused strict stay at home policies in the country.

To prevent pranks and no-show customers, the proposed measure also requires online buyers to submit proof of identity and residential address, subject to compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

"Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon lalo’t nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya, lahat naman tayo ay gustong kumita. Kaya humahanga tayo sa mga gaya ng service riders na gumagawa ng paraan para kumita sa legal na paraan at malaki pa ang naitutulong nila para hindi na lumabas ng bahay ang ating mga kababayan," Lapid said in a statement.

"Kaya para masiguro na hindi na sila maloloko pa ng mga biglaang pagkansela ng order, dapat masiguro na ang mga umoorder ay magbibigay ng totoong pangalan at address," he added.

A similar measure was filed in the House of Representatives last month by Ako Bicol party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. —KG, GMA News