MANILA, Philippines – Delivery season is picking up early this year. Thousands of packages are already moving across the Philippines daily as online shoppers and small businesses prepare for the holidays. Most reach their destinations safely and on time, though many more face delays or mix-ups — and no one wants to spend the weeks and days leading up to Christmas tracking a lost parcel.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), online transactions, including Marketplace selling, digital payments, and food or parcel deliveries, remain the top source of consumer complaints in recent years, reflecting the country’s fast-growing digital economy.
Nearly one million new business names were registered with the agency in 2023, more than 18,000 of them under “Retail Sale via Internet.” The boom continued as Philippine e-commerce hit USD 28 billion in 2024, based on Payments CMI data.
More buying and shipping also mean more chances for mistakes or scams. To help consumers stay alert, Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery platform, has launched PadaLala 101, a safety-awareness campaign featuring a short video series on safer, smarter deliveries, developed in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The campaign runs on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, targeting both customers and partner drivers.
One clip shows what happens when a wrong location pin sends a partner driver in circles. Another reminds users to verify a partner driver’s name and plate number before handing over a package — a simple step that can prevent fake bookings. A third episode explains why matching a parcel with the right vehicle matters, since overloading can damage goods or endanger riders.
Each video features a representative from the agency validating the advice. The tone is light but the message is practical: safe deliveries start with small, consistent habits.
“Consumer education is key to a safer and more e-commerce environment,” said Atty. Eryl Royce R. Nagtalon, Officer-in-Charge of the DTI E-Commerce Bureau. “We commend Lalamove for taking the lead in promoting responsible delivery practices and working closely with DTI to educate and protect the public. This partnership with Lalamove plays a vital role in keeping the growing digital marketplace safe and reliable for everyone. These kinds of initiatives are aligned with the core objective of Republic Act No. 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 to build trust on e-commerce.”
Lalamove echoed the agency’s call for shared responsibility between customers and couriers.
“Deliveries carry people’s livelihood and trust,” said Djon Nacario, Managing Director of Lalamove Philippines. “PadaLala 101 is about making safety second nature for everyone who books or receives a delivery. This is just one of the ways that we’re educating Lalamove users; we’re also continuously working on various ways to ensure that consumers and drivers are safe and protected from scams and mishaps.”
PadaLala 101 is timed for the holiday rush, when e-commerce traffic peaks and couriers work around the clock. Each episode runs for only a few minutes but distills basic precautions that can prevent costly errors, from double-checking delivery details to choosing the right vehicle size.
Before hitting “Book Now,” the campaign reminds users to pause for a quick check: confirm the address, review the contact number, and verify the driver’s information. A few seconds of care can make the busiest months less stressful for everyone on the road.