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 run other errands at 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 us having to step outside. To make things a bit more convenient for these hardworking men and women, Robinsons Malls nationwide have set up their own Delivery Riders’ Lounge.
Food delivery riders take a well-deserved break at Robinsons Magnolia's Delivery Riders’ Lounge.
Each mall’s lounge is located in a shaded area, so the riders can enjoy some cool air and spend some time away from the heat of the sun or intermittent weather. They’re provided with chairs and tables where they can take a much-needed break 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 power; a disinfecting station with alcohol; and free parking near mall entrances to help lower their daily expenses. Riders also have a special lane at mall entrances and selected mall merchants, so they don’t have to queue for too long to pick up their customers’ orders.
"Dati po, sa labas lang kami, sa may kalsada naghihintay, sa may initan o kaya minsan sa may malakas na ulan” [Before, we used to wait by the roadside, without shade or protection from heavy rain], shared Ever Sison, 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,” [It’s a big help for riders like me that there’s free parking, a place to rest, with an alcohol disinfecting station, and where you can recharge your gadget’s batteries. We’re thankful to the mall management because we feel at home here at Robinsons Magnolia, that’s why we keep coming back. We’re happy for the big help they gave us in setting up the Lounge] added Sison.
The riders of BatangRobMag like to congregate at Robinsons Magnolia for the convenience, varied selection, and excellent service that the mall provides.
Sison heads a group called Batang RobMag, a small organization of delivery riders who have chosen Robinsons Magnolia as their main stop.
They are always supportive of each other through all sorts of issues, whether it’s a motorcycle breakdown in the middle of the road or a customer who has canceled an order. They are 33 in the group; and even though they live in different cities in Metro Manila, they found it most convenient to stay at Robinsons Magnolia while waiting for job orders 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,” [We want to let the delivery riders feel that we view them as family. At Robinsons Malls, they know they have a place to rest while waiting for their orders] said Rowell F. Venzon, Mall Operations Manager at Robinsons Magnolia.
Robinsons Malls’ Delivery Riders’ Lounge has become so much more than an area with chairs and tables. It is now a place of respite where riders, like Sison, have found a home.
To learn more about Robinsons Malls’ Delivery Riders’ Lounge and view testimonies from delivery riders, watch these videos on Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram
On payday weekends this May, delivery riders get a free B’lue drink at select Robinsons Malls to keep them refreshed. This treat is available from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. only at the Delivery Riders' Lounge of Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Galleria, Forum Robinsons, Robinsons Place Las Piñas, and Robinsons Place Antipolo.
