The ongoing quarantine has forced most of us to stay home. And whether we like it or not, that means not being able to dine in our favorite restaurants, drop by must-visit stores, and attend to other errands in the mall. Fortunately, delivery riders are always there for us—working day and night and risking their own safety to make sure that we have what we need without having to step outside. And to make things a bit more convenient to our ates and kuyas, Robinsons Malls nationwide have set-up their own Delivery Riders’ Lounge.
All Robinsons Malls have set-up their Lounges in shaded areas, so the riders can enjoy some cool air and enjoy a few hours away from the heat of the sun or intermittent weather. Each Lounge features chairs and tables where riders can take a much-needed rest in-between tasks or while waiting to get their customers’ orders from restaurants and stores. There’s also a charging station that’s available for free, so they don’t have to worry about running out of battery; a disinfecting station with alcohol, which is very important amid the pandemic; and free parking near mall entrances so they don’t have to pay extra. Riders also have a special lane in mall entrances and selected mall merchants, so they don’t have to queue for too long to pick up their customers’ orders.
For May’s payday weekends, delivery riders get a free B’lue drink to keep them refreshed especially in this summer heat. This special treat is available from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Delivery Riders' Lounge at Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Galleria, Forum Robinsons, Robinsons Place Las Piñas, and Robinsons Place Antipolo.They just have to make sure that they’re picking up orders from these six Robinsons Malls branches.
"Dati po sa labaslang kami, sa may kalsada naghihintay, sa may initan o kaya minsan sa may malakas na ulan," shared Mr. Ever Sison, who has been a delivery rider since April 2018. He is thankful that Robinsons Magnolia, like other Robinsons Malls nationwide, now has the Delivery Riders' Lounge where he and his fellow riders can stay.
"Malaking tulong po sa kagaya ko na rider 'yung may free parking, may pahingahan, may pa-alcohol at sanitation, tapos pwede rin mag-charge. Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa management dahil feel at home po kami sa Robinsons Magnolia kaya ito ang aming binabalik-balikan. Masaya po kami sa tulong nila, malaking bagay ang ginawa nila na Lounge para sa amin," he added.
Sison is currently heading a group called Batang RobMag, which is a small organization of delivery riders who have chosen Robinsons Magnolia as their main stop. "Nabuo ang Batang RobMag dahil lagi po kami nakatambay sa labas ng mall, kaya naging tropa at close ko narin sila. Noong buo na po ang grupo, naging isang pamilya nakaming lahat."
They’re always supportive of every member through whatever problem, whether it’s a motorcycle issue in the middle of the road or an irate customer who has canceled an order. They are 33 in the group; and even though they live in different cities, they found it most convenient to stay at Robinsons Magnolia while waiting for a job order since it has a wide variety of restaurants and stores as well as an approachable staff.
"Gusto namin ipadama sa kanila, mga delivery riders natin na, family ang turing namin sa kanila. Sa Robinsons Malls, alam nilang may lugar sila dito kung saan sila pwede magpahinga habang hinihintay ang orders nila," said Rowell F. Venzon, Mall Operations Manager at Robinsons Magnolia.
Robinsons Malls’ Delivery Riders’ Lounge has become so much more than the chairs and tables. It is now a respite where riders, like Sison, have found a home.
If you wish to know more about Robinsons Malls’ Delivery Riders’ Lounge as well as testimonies from our ever-dependable delivery riders, you can watch these videos online:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobinsonsMalls/videos/939626586875032
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btwHhs00NY8
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tv/COzxvfejRHW/
