Phillipines: Uber, Grab show no tolerance for drugs; withhold drivers from delivering unchecked packages

President Duterte believes that narcotics are the cause of the country's crime-related incidents, further adding that as many as 4 million Filipinos are using drugs.

Grab taxi queues while waiting for passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the metro Manila, Philippines, July 22, 2016. This logo has been updated and is no longer in use.

Taxi services like Uber and Grab have jointly decided to withhold their drivers from delivering or transporting packages on any customer's behalf.
This action was in acknowledgement of the government's concerns stating that the drivers were becoming dispatchers of illegal drugs.

This resolution was put in action after The Philippine Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that packages containing illegal substances were being delivered through the cab-hailing services.

Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, and his governing body have been battling drug problems in the country. Thousands of people have been killed in anti-narcotic operations.
Duterte's election campaign was centred around the need to end the drug war.

He believes that narcotics are the cause of the country's crime-related incidents, further adding that as many as 4 million Filipinos are using drugs.

The representatives of Grab and Uber met with the officials of PDEA and then Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) saying that they will be strict and avoid taking unchecked packages completely.

Yves Gonzales, in charge of government relations and public policy at Uber Philippines, said during a meeting on Friday, "Uber services here are for passengers only."

The Grab public affairs head assured that Grab drivers would not be reprimanded for refusing package deliveries for customers.

Its delivery service, Grab Express, would require customers to open the packages and show the contents to drivers first, then complete identification forms, ANC reported.

LTFRB issued a statement saying that drug testing would be mandatory for drivers of all public utility vehicles and ride-hailing services, and those showing positive results would be banned.

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