The Finance and Trade and Industry Committee under the chairmanship of Third District Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz repealed Ordinance No. 0612-21, Series of 2021, and amended Ordinance No. 0291-17, Series of 2017 or the 2017 Revenue Code of Davao City which expand the coverage of Service Contractors by including those who essentially provides personal services that does not fall under the exercise of a profession, such as, but not limited to, delivery riders.
This amendment, Ortiz said will no longer require delivery riders from securing business permits. However, they will only be required to secure an individual Occupational Permit with a fee amounting P125.00.
Ortiz said delivery riders are essential part of the community, working tirelessly to ensure the timely delivery of goods and services. However, the imposition of business permit fees places an unnecessary financial burden on them, especially given the nature of their work.
“To ease this burden, the various committees deemed it proper for removal of the business permit fee and instead focus on a more reasonable solution, such as paying for an occupational permit,” the statement read.
She said this would help reduce unnecessary costs for riders while still ensuring that they are properly registered and compliant with local regulations.
“Such a change would acknowledge their important role while easing the burden currently faced by these riders in the old ordinance,” she said.
The proposed ordinance which will be tackled in the plenary on Thursday (Dec. 5) for the third and final reading, covers those workers or individuals providing personal services in Davao City whether employed temporarily, permanently, outsourced, or working remotely, including those telecommuting and work-from-home arrangements.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte earlier expressed support for the ammendment of said ordinance to remove the business permit requirement for delivery riders.
“Dili man pod na nimo sila puwede singlon og kanang bug-at kay pila ra po’y ginansiya ana ug kapoy baya na nga trabaho,” Duterte said during “Basta Dabawenyo” podcast.