Photo via Spot.ph

By Joey Natividad

An order by the City Government of Naga, in Camarines Sur, to riders in food delivery service to apply for Occupational Permit, was publicly questioned in social media by a lawyer who believes such permit is unnecessary.

Lawyer Areiz Macaraig on Wednesday sniped at the City Government for planning to impose additional burden on FoodPanda riders who are only contractors, non-employees.

“Food delivery riders are professional drivers who are only required to pay Professional Tax every year,” the lawyer said.

Macaraig said that “as professionals, these drivers are exempted to get Mayor’s or Occupational Permit, since they are regulated by LTO.”

He informed Bicol Express News that several FoodPanda drivers have asked his opinion about the mandatory order by City Hall for them to get Occupational Permit, the deadline set on May 15, 2021.

“Only non-professional drivers may be obliged to get this Permit, but FoodPanda delivery hires only professional driver license holders,” Macaraig stressed.

“They pay only professional tax of about Php 300. a year and considered as professionals,” he said.

He referred to DOF Circular 001.2019.

Attorney Areiz Macaraig. File photo

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