International Women’s Day has always been about valuing the hard work and dedication of all women who left a mark in society. In Lalamove, we celebrate this day in recognition of the empowered Filipina delivery drivers who meet the needs of on-demand delivery in the Philippines, specifically in the Greater Manila Area, Cebu, Pampanga, and now in more areas in Luzon.
Women are undeniably contributing factors to the strength, growth, and success of the brand, not just locally, but also globally. In 2010, only eight percent of the global logistics workforce was formed by women. But this steadily increased to a whopping 20 percent in 2018. At present, we have hundreds and thousands of verified partner drivers across the nation. They are the faces of the quality delivery service that we offer.
Of the many partner drivers in Lalamove, four Pinays share their experience on the road. Get to know how exactly they are breaking barriers as they wow every customer and inspire other women to #BreakTheBias, one delivery at a time.
Four years and counting with Lalamove
For Mary Abegail “Abe” Del Rosario, being a Lalamove motorcycle rider in Manila for 4 years has been her source of income. The 38-year-old delivery driver worked in Dubai as a waitress in a restaurant but was forced to go back to the Philippines after it closed. Her brother encouraged her to join Lalamove to be a partner driver, and she has learned to love the job since then, especially long haul delivery.
“Lalamove helped me survive the pandemic. Challenging [maging rider] pero kinakaya… Minsan, may ibang tao tinatawanan ako lalo na kapag nakita nila na ang laki ng dinedeliver kong package – kunwari furniture. Ignore ko na lang kasi wala namang nakakatawa. Bilang rider, dapat tulungan mo kung nakita mong nahihirapan ‘yung kapwa mo, ‘di ba? ‘Wag mong tawanan. Pinakagusto ko ‘yung long rides – nagro-roadtrip ka na, kumikita ka pa. Important ang tiyaga at pasensya dahil wala namang madaling trabaho, babae man o lalaki, sa biyahe man o sa pakikipag-usap sa customers (It is challenging to be a rider but I manage… There are times when people laugh at me especially when they see me carrying a huge package, like furniture. I choose to ignore them because I find nothing funny. And as a rider, you should just help someone whom you see is struggling, right? My favorite [part] would be the long rides – earning while going on road trips. Perseverance and patience are important because there’s really no easy job, for both women and men, be it during deliveries or when dealing with customers),” Abe shares.
Her advice to lady drivers in the Philippines who are interested to join Lalamove: manage your expectations and keep a positive attitude. She also reminds fellow riders, “Don’t focus on the negative. [And a reminder], babae o lalaki, dapat sundin ang tuntunin. ‘Wag mag-pasaway (women or men should go by the rules; do not be a rule-breaker).”
A solo parent hard at work on the road
Further proving that women are unstoppable, Nora Ong, a solo parent of 6 kids and currently a 4-Wheel partner driver, shares her experience on the road after being encouraged by fellow drivers to give Lalamove a try. Accepting all sorts of delivery from door to door well within her capabilities helped her earn more, contributing to the needs of her family, especially for her two kids in college and one in high school.
What seems a demanding job was made to look easy for Nora who became the “suki” or favorite of some of her customers. Her secret? She studied all the rules and guidelines of Lalamove before joining as a partner driver. It also helps, according to Nora, to verify all the details required of the delivery, like checking the actual size and weight, asking directions beforehand if the route to the location is not that clear. She does all this to meet the requests and set the expectations of her customers.
According to the 46-year-old driver, some are surprised – in a good way – to find a woman picking up or delivering their items. “Babae? Magda-drive? ‘Di lang naman ‘to panlalaki. Kinaya ko, at may time ako sa pamilya ko dahil hawak ko ang oras ko dito sa Lalamove. Para sa mga babaeng gustong maging Lalamove driver, walang trabahong madali kaya kung anong hilig mo, gawin mo. Kung gusto mong kumita, pwede dito (Some are surprised and happy to discover that the delivery person is a woman. A woman? Driving? This isn’t just for guys. I was able to do it, and I still have time for my family because I manage my hours here in Lalamove. For the ladies who want to be a Lalamove driver, there’s no easy job so do what you’re interested in. If you want to earn, you can do it here),” shared Nora.
A supportive community welcomes newbies
Being a newbie delivery rider is not as challenging with a supportive community of riders, according to Bernadette “Drei” De Jesus. Working in Lalamove for less than a month, she enjoys the long rides and is still getting the hang of things. Before joining Lalamove, Drei worked as a service crew in a fast-food chain. She was laid off due to the pandemic, but the good news is she now serves as a Lalamove motorcycle rider.
“Tinuruan nila ako sa process, kung paano magtake ng orders kung anong gagawin sa iba-ibang mga sitwasyon. Bilang isa sa mga pinakabatang Lalamove riders, naninibago pa ako pero salamat sa mga kapwa ko riders na talagang matulungin (They taught me about the process, like how to take orders and what to do in different situations. As one of the youngest Lalamove riders, I’m still getting used to it [the job], but thanks to my fellow riders for being very helpful),” Drei said.
Since joining Lalamove, Drei revealed that long distance deliveries are her favorites. Though she commonly receives the farthest delivery so far that she accepted and completed was from Guagua to Florida, with several multi-stops along the way. Drei knows that is just the beginning, and she looks forward to receiving more last mile delivery orders for greater trips on the road.
From MSME to Partner Driver
Lieza Ilagono, a motorcycle partner driver in Cebu, remarks on a similar experience. From handling a food business, when she saw that there were hiring delivery drivers at Lalamove, she decided to join and is now also planning to register her Sedan. Long-distance deliveries are her favorites because of the road trip experience and the bonus of higher earnings.
“Hanga sa akin ‘yung mga customers bilang babae. Iba rin talaga ang nagagawa ng pagiging approachable o accommodating na attitude. Challenging man ang pagbubuhat ng mabibigat na packages minsan, pero para hindi madismaya ang customers, tinatawagan ko sila at sinsigurado kong kaya kong i-deliver ‘yung package. Nakakapagod, pero ganoon din naman ang lahat ng trabaho, pero good experience naman dito (The customers are awed when they find out I’m a woman. It also pays off to be approachable and accommodating. Carrying heavy packages can be challenging, so to not disappoint customers, I call them first to ensure that I can deliver their package. It is tiring, as with all other kinds of jobs, but it’s a good experience),” shares Lieza.
For her, whatever comes easy for men is equally easy for women, which is why she is encouraging other women to give delivering a try. She reminds everyone that no job is ever easy, just so long as you enjoy what you are doing. And if you’re really after earning more, one way to do it is to sign up as a Lalamove partner driver.
Women as changemakers in the logistics industry
Women across the globe still experience challenges, and our partner drivers are not exempted. The surprises they get from customers and other people on the road only prove that gender equity and equality in the workplace and outside is still a work-in-progress here in the Philippines. The good news is that more of the wows are good experiences for our partner drivers.
In spite of this, all these experiences, especially the good ones, from Abe, Nora, Drei, and Lieza serve as proof of Lalamove’s commitment to providing partner drivers – regardless of gender – continued support and income opportunities amidst any situation and in any way possible. Welcoming women in a sea of male riders in the country is a nod to women as changemakers in any industry.
Lalamove’s wide variety of fleet and services are the building blocks of what we have in store for our very own riders. Our aid comes in various forms, such as vehicle and roadside assistance, and discounts from our Panalomove partners.
According to Lalamove Philippines' former Managing Director Dannah Majarocon, “Empowering our partner drivers – both women and men – has always been our utmost priority. For five years, our battle cry to move what matters rings true, and it’s all thanks to our dedicated partner drivers,” she said.
Together with the rest of the world, Lalamove hails the heroic Pinay delivery drivers who continue to break and bend barriers, especially in the logistics services industry. We value all you are and all that you do, and we will celebrate you not just today, but every day.
Disclaimer: This has been optimized last March 2023.
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