THE government is urging colorum delivery operators to register and become legitimate gig workers.
According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), 200 suspected colorum Private Express and/or Messengerial Delivery Service (PEMEDES) operators have been flagged so far.
These are individuals or entities engaged in the express or messengerial delivery of written messages, parcels, and mail matter. This includes riders on motorcycles, bikers, van operators, foot messengers, and even app-based delivery providers, the DICT said.
“These operations, while vital to communities and businesses, function outside the scope of national regulation — posing risks to consumers, enabling unfair competition, and limiting the growth potential of the sector,” the DICT said.
An amnesty program is in the works for unauthorized operators, which will allow them to register legally and join a professionalized delivery ecosystem, the agency added.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the move shows the government’s commitment to safeguarding and empowering the country’s gig workers within a fast-growing, digital-first economy.
“We want to protect our people, not penalize them. This amnesty is about recognition, reliability, and rebuilding public trust. Tulungan niyo kaming gawing mas makatao at makabuluhan ang prosesong ito,” Aguda said.
Colorum operators can regularize their operations without retroactive penalties through the amnesty program, the DICT said. (ABS-CBN News)
