Cebu City to waive fees for permits, IDs for delivery drivers

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is set to waive fees for delivery permits and identification cards for delivery riders in the city, who will also soon enjoy free insurance from Mayor Raymond Garcia himself.

Garcia said this during a town hall dialogue with the delivery riders the other day at the City Hall meant to discuss the plight and concerns of the riders that have also been regarded as unsung heroes, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Garcia, according to the City’s information office, said that starting next year, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will no longer ask any payment for “delivery permits” while also waiving their current penalties.

“I am giving now direct orders to Atty. Kent Jongoy (CCTO assistant head) nga for the year 2025 we will now waive the delivery fee. That is the directive coming from the mayor. Next year dili namo mobayad og delivery fee,” Mayor Garcia said.

Delivery permit from the CCTO is at P750 annually, while the CCTO ID, is usually at P200.

Delivery riders from delivery platforms including Grab, Food Panda, Lalamove, and Maxim expressed elation on the Mayor’s pronouncements.

Garcia, according to the city’s PIO, is also looking at giving them an accident insurance from his own pocket.

“Ang inyong trabaho peligroso baya na. Naa pod mo kada adlaw sa dan. Peligroso kay naay mga aksidente diha di gyud nato mahibaw-an. So, kinahanglan gyud mo’g accident insurance,” Garcia who is also eyeing for mayor in next year’s election said.

As per Garcia, the accident insurance coverage is P100,000.

“Sa pagkakaron, wa pay nakahunahuna ana; hasta ang inyong management wa pa nakahunahuna ana pero ako na nang gihunahuna,” He said.

“Hinumdumi ni nga kaning atong paghatag sa accident insurance plan ninyo dili ni kwarta sa gobyerno ang nagbayad ani ha, personal intawon ni nakong kwarta,” Garcia added. — /ATO (FREEMAN)