A MOVE to standardize delivery services is being pushed by Baguio City council.
Proposed by Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan, the "Market to Home Delivery Ordinance," was crafted to ease the burden of marketing and standardize fees to avoid over charging.
"This has become the alternative of people going to market, we did an experiment, right after enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented for market vendors to deliver in their barangays," Allan said.
Allan added during the ECQ from March, the crisis has given an opportunity for vendors at the city market to participate in the market to home strategy where vendors deliver to the various barangays.
The lady legislator said the idea was successful but was beset with a deluge of delivery services with varying prices flooding city residents.
"Ang dami na, di na ma control, ang dami na nag aangkat sa palengke and mataas na rin ang singil sa barangay kasi siyempre papatungan na nila ng delivery charges," Allan added.
During the two-month operation, at least 30 barangays were reached with at a frequency of 66 visits of at least eight market vendors to homes.
Allan noted during the ECQ, there were several delivery services that cropped up.
The proposed law sets qualifications for sellers which includes those registered businesses who can sell by text, online or phone and have delivery within the City of Baguio.
Under the proposed measure, existing businesses doing delivery services should register as an additional line of business with the City Permits and Licensing Office and pay the necessary business permit with the City Treasurer's Office.
The registered business owner must have employees and a vehicle to deliver the goods from the business location to the homes.
Delivery services as a business line for establishments or not part of any existing business charging delivery fee are also asked to register.
Allan said the duration of the mayor's permit is good for a year whether the delivery service is only performed in one day or the whole year.
"Should the establishment no longer conduct a home delivery service, the owner must then write the mayor of the termination of the additional mayor's permit," Allan stressed.
Registration of an existing business to conduct a home delivery such as cooked food establishments (restaurant, bars, canteens, caterer) is set at P500 a year while wet market (fish, meat, frozen food, fruits, vegetable etc.) services is pegged at P300.
Other establishment who charge delivery fees will be set at P500 annually if the law is passed.
A mayor's permit sticker will then be issued by the City Treasurer's Office upon registration and payment of the necessary fees. This sticker should be pasted on the vehicle used for delivery.