foodpanda, an on-demand food delivery app in the Philippines, and the City Government of Manila signed on Monday (May 11) a partnership agreement for a project that will provide jobs to the city’s 500 tricycle drivers who were affected by the government’s imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to fight the spread of COVID-19 virus. “Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa mga kumpanya tulad ng foodpanda na patuloy na naghahatid ng serbisyo at tulong sa panahon ng krisis. Tinutulungan nila na magkaroon ng pag-asa ang mga Manileño sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng trabaho at maayos na pagkakakitaan. “Ang proyektong ito ay hindi lamang upang suportahan ang ating mga komunidad, hangarin din nito na panatilihing buhay ang diwang bayanihan” Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said. (We deeply thank companies like foodpanda that continue to serve and help during this time of crisis. They give Manileños hope by providing jobs and a decent means of livelihood. This project not only supports our communities but also keeps alive the bayanihan spirit.) Dubbed “pandaTODA,” the initiative will recruit and train 500 tricycle drivers from Manila City to become foodpanda partner riders for two months during the ECQ and beyond. They will have the choice of continuing their engagement with foodpanda beyond this period. “All of the tricycle drivers who will be recruited will officially begin training this week at the Manila City Hall and will be provided with pink uniforms and thermo bags. We’re all excited to welcome the new riders to the foodpanda family. “We hope that with this initiative, we are able to help ease their burden of providing for their families during this difficult time,” foodpanda Philippines Managing Director Daniel Marogy said. The Manila City mayor emphasized that food delivery has become an important service during the past month and a half of ECQ. “Dahil sa serbisyong hatid ng foodpanda, ang mga Manileño ay mas nahihikayat na manatili sa kanilang mga tahanan. Hindi na nila kailangang lumabas dahil maaari na silang magpa-deliver ng kanilang pagkain. “Ngayon, ang serbisyong ito ay maghahatid na rin ng makakain sa hapag ng ating mga trike drivers sa Maynila. Maraming salamat po, foodpanda. Ito ang simula ng mabuting pakikipag-ugnayan para sa ating lungsod at sa mga Manileño,” Domagoso said. (Because of foodpanda’s services, Manileños are encouraged to stay in their homes. They don’t need to go out because they can have their food delivered to them. Now, this service will also put food on the table of trike drivers in Manila. Thank you, foodpanda. This is the start of a good relationship for our city and for Manileños.) “We are honored to take part in the initiatives of the Manila City government to provide a secure, safe, and sustainable livelihood for its constituents, especially the highly vulnerable ones. What we provide are freelance jobs, which will allow them both opportunity and flexibility on the job,” Marogy said. foodpanda provides assistance to 500 out of work tricycle drivers since the enhanced community quarantine in partnership with Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno While it’s business as usual for foodpanda, all newly-boarded riders will go through rigorous training to ensure that the highest standards of safety protocol and contactless delivery system during the ECQ are followed. To support the local businesses and the community, foodpanda currently offers free delivery throughout the month of May. Well-loved favorites around Manila City from Jollibee, Subway, Denny’s, Teriyaki Boy, to Army Navy and other local businesses such as Clouds Coffee, Steakgasm, SweetTea, Incredible India Food, and Product Depot, among others, are open to ensure that customers are able to order all the food they love during this period.