MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued new guidelines requiring delivery platforms, logistics companies and motorcycle taxi operators to protect riders from extreme heat and heat-related illnesses, particularly during El Niño.
Under Labor Advisory No. 22, series of 2026, signed by Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, covered companies must implement workplace safety measures to reduce the risk of heat stress among riders exposed to prolonged outdoor conditions.
The advisory requires companies to conduct Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control (HIRAC) along delivery routes, taking into account heat index levels, working conditions, travel duration, access to drinking water and the availability of shaded rest areas.
Employers and digital platforms must regularly inform riders of prevailing heat conditions and provide free drinking water, cooling breaks, shaded rest areas, appropriate protective equipment and first-aid assistance.
Companies must also adjust, reschedule or suspend delivery assignments when extreme heat poses serious health risks, depending on the applicable heat index category.
To strengthen emergency response, DOLE directed operators to maintain 24-hour emergency assistance channels and accessible SOS features for riders experiencing heat-related emergencies.
Riders showing serious symptoms of heat exhaustion or other heat-related illnesses must receive immediate assistance without being required to complete pending deliveries.
The advisory also prohibits companies from penalizing riders who take safety breaks, change routes or cancel deliveries because of dangerous heat conditions.
Prohibited actions include salary deductions, reduced ratings or incentives, restricted access to assignments, account suspension and deactivation.
DOLE further required covered companies to provide heat-safety training, ensure riders are enrolled in the Social Security System (SSS) and maintain records of occupational heat-related illnesses.
Employers must submit a Work Accident/Illness Report (WAIR) to the appropriate DOLE regional office for work-related incidents resulting in hospitalization, permanent disability or death.
The department warned that companies violating the guidelines could face administrative sanctions and penalties under existing labor and occupational safety laws.
The measures aim to safeguard riders’ health and livelihoods as extreme temperatures increase the risks faced by workers who spend extended hours on the road.
