The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced that more than 6,000 previously unregistered riders and messengers have become legal operators through the Private Express and/or Messengerial Delivery Service (PEMEDES) Amnesty Program.
In just six weeks since the program’s launch and the activation of the PEMEDES Online Registration Portal, eight companies have already been granted their Authority to Operate (ATO).
“Each Authority to Operate is more than a document — it’s a symbol of livelihood, protection, and progress for our delivery heroes. This is true digital governance — fast, efficient, and compassionate,” said DICT secretary Henry R. Aguda.
He emphasized that the amnesty is not merely about compliance but about granting dignity and security to thousands of riders and messengers who serve as vital links in the country’s digital economy.
“The amnesty is not just about regulation, but about giving security and dignity to our riders. Through digitalization, we’re providing them with the hope of a more stable and legal livelihood,” Aguda added.
Under Department Circular No. HRA-002, the PEMEDES Amnesty Program offers a six-month grace period for unregistered operators to legalize their operations and comply with consumer protection standards.
The initiative also supports the government’s goal of expanding the digital workforce and creating eight million ICT-enabled jobs nationwide as part of the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
