Online food ordering and delivery service Foodpanda collaborates with the local government of Manila to work with tricycle drivers who have been affected by the enhanced community quarantine. Since the implementation of stricter lockdown protocols two months ago, public transportation has had to cease operations. The PandaTODA program is in partnership with the Manila Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau.
“Through this program, initially, we will hire 500 tricycle drivers. More will be hired by the city government later on once the program has kicked off,” says Manila PESO Director Fernan Bermejo.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno says tapping tricycle drivers for delivery services will greatly help as the drivers have been experiencing major financial setbacks brought on by the global health crisis. He also notes that since people need to lessen their time in public places, this can be part of the city’s “new normal.”
“It gives opportunity to those who are gravely affected since day one, which is the transport group, and for everyone to still enjoy their favorite meal at their doorstep. We can continue to practice new norms. Lesser human interaction, a better way to fight COVID-19,” Moreno says.
According to Foodpanda Philippines Inc. managing director Daniel Marogy, the riders can choose how many hours they’ll work per week. They can also opt for a part-time or full-time job arrangement.
Foodpanda caters to more than 300 restaurants with a wide range of cuisines and categories. Customers can order from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day and pay through online platforms such as GCash and Paymaya to ensure contactless delivery (customers can request riders to leave orders at the doorstep via the Rider-Customer Chat).
Foodpanda maintains constant communication with their restaurant partners to comply with the standards and notices of the World Health Organization. The food delivery service says that their next partner in this initiative will be Pasig City.