As the holiday delivery surge begins, industry leaders are pushing for smarter, safer parcel handling to protect consumers amid booming e-commerce activity and rising complaints.
With online shopping and deliveries ramping up weeks ahead of Christmas, thousands of packages now crisscross the country daily. But with volume comes risk — and delays, scams, and misdeliveries remain common headaches for both buyers and sellers.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reports that digital transactions — including online selling, digital payments, and parcel deliveries — continue to top consumer complaints nationwide, highlighting the growing pains of the Philippines’ rapidly expanding digital economy. In 2023 alone, nearly 1 million businesses registered with the DTI, with over 18,000 listed under internet retail. Philippine e-commerce is now valued at US$28 billion, according to Payments CMI data.
To address these challenges, logistics giant Lalamove has rolled out PadaLala 101, a safety-awareness campaign launched in partnership with the DTI. The initiative uses short, relatable video clips to educate both consumers and drivers on how to avoid common delivery issues. Topics range from checking address pins to verifying driver details and choosing the correct vehicle type for packages.
“Consumer education is key to a safer and more secure e-commerce environment,” said Eryl Royce R. Nagtalon, officer-in-charge of the DTI E-Commerce Bureau. “We commend Lalamove for promoting responsible delivery practices. This effort supports the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, which aims to build trust in the online marketplace.”
Lalamove managing director Djon Nacario emphasized shared responsibility between users and couriers. “Deliveries carry people’s livelihood and trust. PadaLala 101 is about making safety second nature,” he said.
The campaign is especially timely as the peak season begins, when delivery volumes soar and errors become costlier. By encouraging basic precautions — such as double-checking addresses and contact numbers before booking — the campaign aims to reduce holiday stress for both senders and recipients.
As e-commerce continues to grow, smart delivery habits are becoming essential. For Filipino consumers, small steps can go a long way in ensuring that their gifts, goods, and hard-earned purchases arrive safely and on time.
