Delivery riders across the Philippines can no longer be penalized for taking necessary safety breaks during dangerous heat conditions under new guidelines issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino signed Labor Advisory No. 22, Series of 2026, directing delivery platforms, logistics companies, and other covered employers to strengthen protections against heat-related illnesses as the country faces rising temperatures linked to El Niño.
Under the advisory, companies must provide riders with free drinking water, access to shaded rest areas, regular hydration and cooling breaks, appropriate protective equipment, and first-aid assistance. Employers are also required to assess heat risks along delivery routes, monitor heat-index levels, and adjust, reschedule, or suspend assignments when extreme temperatures pose serious health threats.
More importantly, DOLE prohibits companies from punishing riders who prioritize their safety over completing deliveries in unsafe heat conditions. Covered platforms cannot impose salary deductions, lower performance ratings, reduce incentives, restrict bookings, or suspend or deactivate rider accounts for taking necessary breaks, changing routes, or canceling deliveries because of heat-related risks. Companies must also maintain emergency assistance channels operating seven days a week, including accessible SOS functions for riders experiencing severe symptoms.
The directive also requires heat-safety training, Social Security System (SSS) enrollment, and proper documentation of work-related heat illnesses. Employers that violate the guidelines may face administrative sanctions and penalties under applicable laws. With thousands of Filipinos relying on motorcycle deliveries for their livelihood, the new measures send a clear message: meeting delivery targets must never come at the expense of workers’ health and safety.