Manila, May 8 -- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is seeking to legitimize unregistered private express and/or messengerial service (PEMEDES) operators through the launch of an amnesty program.

PEMEDES refers to individuals or groups engaged in the express or messengerial delivery of written messages, parcels, and other mail matter and includes riders on motorcycles, bicycles, van operators, foot messengers, and app-based delivery providers.

In a statement on Thursday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the initiative is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision to modernize and regulate the logistics sector by safeguarding and empowering the country's gig workers in a digital-first economy.

"We ...