Quezon City, foodpanda partner to aid displaced workers

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has partnered with food delivery application foodpanda to provide livelihood to over 200 residents who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the “pandaBIZikleta” project, Mayor Joy Belmonte said beneficiaries of the city’s bicycle distribution program may work as freelance delivery riders of the digital platform.

“We continue to innovate and look for solutions to ease the suffering of workers who have lost their jobs during the pandemic,” she said.

Belmonte signed the agreement on Wednesday with Foodpanda Philippines, represented by its finance director Leopoldo de Castro Jr. and head of people and culture division Judith Tubil.

Earlier, Belmonte and Foodpanda managing director Daniel Marogy agreed to partner with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to provide jobs to workers displaced by the pandemic.

“We are honored to be in a position to help displaced workers in partnership with the Quezon City government and the DOLE,” Marogy said.

“As a company, we believe that what is good for the community is also good for business. We welcome our beneficiaries from Quezon City in the Foodpanda Philippines family,” he added.

The signing of the agreement coincided with the observance of World Sustainability Day, which the online platform noted as fitting given its push for environment protection and sustainability.

“We are advocating the use of bicycles because it helps promote clean air and good health, which are vital factors in making communities more sustainable,” Marogy said.

Belmonte said while helping displaced workers, “we are also protecting the environment.”

Last year, foodpanda also partnered with the Quezon City government for the pilot implementation of its pandaTODA project, which provided livelihood opportunities to tricycle drivers affected by lockdowns.