THE Covid-19 pandemic has catalyzed digital INNOVATIONS THAT POSITIVELY INflUENCED HOW WE ATE AND HOW ESSENTIAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO US. CONSIDER THE EXTENSIVE USE OF FOOD DELIVERY APPS THAT NOT ONLY ALLOWED CONSUMERS TO EAT BUT ALSO FOR RESTAURANTS TO SURVIVE THE LOCKDOWNS AND SHUTDOWNS. THE OTHER END OF THE BUSINESS CYCLE IS THE RIDER WHO ACTUALLY COMPLETES THE TRANSACTION INITIATED ON A DIGITAL PLATFORM BY PHYSICALLY DELIVERING THE ORDERED FOOD OR SERVICE RIGHT AT YOUR DOORSTEP.

It’s easy to see the wonders of digital technology in helping us to surmount the challenges of the pandemic. Let’s now turn our attention to the experiences of riders who deliver orders across from Point A to Point B amid the unique restrictions posed by Covid-19. They endured long hours come rain or shine, beat promised deadlines to customers, and sometimes even got scammed by unscrupulous consumers. These are their stories.

Edmon Dominguez, Aja! Deliveries

AJA! Deliveries started on March 16, 2020 as a relief project to help volunteer riders to have a regular income during the pandemic. It eventually turned into an unexpected business that currently employs 30 to 40 active riders.

Rider Edmon Domiguez, married, has been working with the company for a year now. He starts

his work day by checking his motorcycle and his uniform and his route for the day. He enjoys having to travel to different parts of the metropolis, the camaraderie of fellow riders and the fulfillment of a successful delivery despite the constraints.

To him, there is no hard part to his job. He says, “Wala pong mahirap na trabaho kung magagawan ng paraan. Kailangan lang maparaan ang isang rider para magampanan ng maayos ang trabaho araw araw.”

Marites Buison, Crystal Clear

Marites Buison, 48 years old, widow with eight children, has been with Crystal Clear for 15 years now. She delivers up to 100 gallons of purified water to customers daily.

Four of her children also work at Crystal Clear. Marites is happy that her working children hardly complain even if they’re tired at the end of the day.

Her most memorable experiences on her job include angry customers because of late delivery, although it is offset by customers who are happy with her work ethics particularly when she delivers on time.

Being on the road most of the day, she has had her fair share of woes. She clarifies, “Nahuli kami ng pulis dahil wala akong lisensya at utility service ng motor. Minsan naman nakabangga ako sa daan ng sasakyan dahil mahina ang preno ng motor na dala ko.”

Lupin Vela, Maynilad

The eldest of four children, Lupin Vela has been employed as a meter reader at Maynilad for a year now. He’s still a student, but he stopped going to school to earn a living for the family.

Lupin likes his job. He concedes though that the most difficult part is delivering an average of 500 water bills on a rainy day to customers.

During the pandemic, it was automatic for him to wear a facemask and carry rubbing alcohol whether he’s in a subdivision or a squatter’s area on lockdown. And he has anecdotes to tell when visiting the opposite sides of social class divide.

He muses, “Honestly, sa lahat ng area ko po, tipong kabiruan ko na talaga ang mga customers. Minsan pa nga dun na ko nagtatanghalian, lalo na sa squatter’s area. ‘Pag sa subdivision, for example ‘yung Ayala sa Alabang, talagang maingat po kami kasi mahigpit, grabe sa higpit ng mga guards dun. Pero maasahan naman ang mga homeowners sa subdivision lalo kapag Christmas.”

A driver for UPS since 2010, Jessie Tague says an important part of his daily preparation for work is the Pre Trip Inspection check of the UPS brown vans. He elaborates, “My Pre Trip Inspection takes around 10 to 15 minutes, which includes a visual check of brake fluid levels, tire pressure, lights. Safety is a priority at UPS. Kailangan safe ‘yung vehicle when on the road.”

Jesse cannot forget one client based around Kapitolyo in Pasig City. He says, “Nagsisigawan sa tuwa iyong mga employees when they received the package I delivered. Parang nabuhayan silang lahat. I was told that it was a package of parts critical to the business.”

To Jesse, the biggest challenge in delivery and logistics is being safe all the time. He shares, “Personally, nag-iingat ako for my family. Kaya, sumusunod ako sa mga health and safety protocols of our company and our clients.”

Eva Averion, Seven Grace Delights

Seven Grace Delights is a family business that since 2018 has been reselling native goodies from Laguna. One of the children, Eva Averion, happened to stay temporarily at the place of business when the pandemic hit. She decided to stay on helping out in the delivery and running errands.

Eva says the hardest part of delivery during the pandemic was locating the customer’s address, which she eventually managed to overcome. Today, problems during delivery remain such as arriving late at the customer’s doorsteps and clients canceling the order when she arrives late.

Her advice to customers: “Those who want their orders delivered have to place them in advance so we have ample time to prepare. We always prepare as per order only to minimize leftovers. We also encourage patrons to send us direct messages for faster transactions.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Online payment is also appreciated.”

Eva admits there are good and sad sides to the business. She says, “Most of our clients have become close to us; we have gained a lot of friends. On the other hand, we have also encountered unhealthy competition who then unfollow us and make bad comments on social media. We chose to ignore them. Peace!”