Is it okay to get food delivery during bad weather? Here’s what riders say
Do you order food through delivery services even during bad weather?
Would it still be acceptable to order food, when it is hard, if not dangerous, to navigate roads? This has been a subject of debate among social media users amidst the gloomy weather. While the convenience of food delivery is undeniable, the potential risks and impacts on delivery personnel must be considered.
For some, it's not a good idea to have someone brave the strong rains to deliver food for your comfort, but for others, it is also a way of helping them earn a living despite the bad weather, especially if it is their only source of income.
If you’re contemplating whether to order food because you couldn’t stock up or you're not able to cook during the inclement weather, PhilSTAR L!fe asked some delivery riders about their stand on the issue.
Delivery riders weigh in
Mav Gutierrez, a 31-year-old rider of GrabFood, shared with L!fe that while it is especially hard to deliver food due to serious flooding and slippery roads, some riders will still accept orders because it is their only source of income.
“Bilang isang delivery rider, alam ko po ang hirap sa pag bibigay serbisyo sa ganitong panahon dahil sa baha at madulas na daan. Marami po sa amin ang hindi po makikipagsapalaran, pero may mga kilala po ako na handa sumabak sa sungit ng panahon lalo na po kung ang pagdedeliver lamang po ang pinagkukunan ng pang gastos sa pang araw araw,” he said, noting that they are following a no work, no pay system.
On the other hand, foodpanda rider Vincent Domingo Lim said that it is okay to order food during inclement weather if there is an available rider in your area. But he shared that some riders opt to refrain from giving delivery service to prioritize their safety and to take care of the vehicles, such as motorcycles or bikes, which they use for a living.
“Ngayong araw po talaga wala masyadong rider si [foodpanda] gawa ng sobrang baha. Iniisip din namen kapakanan namin at yung tumutulong samin pang hanap buhay (tulad ng motor o bike),” the 22-year-old said.
What can customers do to help?
While for him, it's okay to avail of food delivery services during bad weather, Gutierrez hopes for customers’ patience with the delays.
He added that customers should also discern if the route going to their location is safe and passable so as to not put riders in dangerous situations.
“Kung maari po sana maging aware po ang customer kung passable po ba ang daan sa lugar nila sa mga rider, para hindi na po malagay sa alanganin at peligro dahil sa pagsulong sa baha,” he said.
For his part, Lim added, “Doon sa mga costumer na nagrereport kahit na-deliver na ‘yung pagkain nila konsiderasyon naman, naghahanap buhay kami ginagawa nilang kalokohan.”
How much is an acceptable tip during bad weather?
If you do decide to order and are now thinking how much you should tip, the delivery riders said that it is not really necessary.
“Yung sa tip naman, kahit hindi naman po sila magtip depende na po sa inyo yan,” Lim said.
Gutierrez seconded this, saying, “Kung ano lang po ang kayang ibigay. Hindi naman po required na magbigay ng tip, appreciated na po namin pag mabait at mapagpasensya si customer.”
Grab’s guidelines
Online delivery platform Grab said that their top priority is the safety and well-being of their delivery partners, especially during inclement weather.
“We have taken proactive steps to communicate with our delivery partners through online channels and in-app notifications, advising them to avoid flooded areas,” they said in the statement provided to L!fe.
“We understand that many of our customers rely on our food and grocery delivery services, particularly while staying indoors for their safety. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding, as there may be delays in delivery times due to the ongoing weather conditions,” it added.
They also shared they are actively updating their GrabMaps and are monitoring the reports from their riders to have real-time information on which routes are safe and unsafe to navigate.
Grab also assured that their safety and incident response team is on standby 24/7 to provide immediate assistance if needed. They also have a calamity-assistance program as support to affected riders during natural disasters, like typhoons.