The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is set to launch its Amnesty Program for unregistered Private Express and/or Messengerial Delivery Service (PEMEDES) operators as the number of suspected colorum operators have grown to roughly 200.
DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda said the amnesty program encourages unauthorized operators to register legally and join a professionalized delivery ecosystem, modernize and regulate the logistics sector.
According to, the initiative is rooted in President Marcos commitment to safeguard and empower the country’s gig workers within a fast-growing, digital-first economy, Aguda said.
“We want to protect our people, not penalize them. This amnesty is about recognition, reliability, and rebuilding public trust,” said Aguda.
As of April 30, 2025, regulatory reviews conducted by the DICT have flagged 200 suspected colorum PEMEDES operators. These operations, while vital to communities and businesses, function outside the scope of national regulation—posing risks to consumers, enabling unfair competition, and limiting the growth potential of the sector.
PEMEDES refers to individuals or entities engaged in the express and/or messengerial delivery of written messages, parcels, and mail matter. This includes riders on motorcycles, bikers, van operators, foot messengers, and even app-based delivery providers.
Under Presidential Decree No. 240, no such firm may operate in the country without securing an Authority to Operate (ATO) issued by the government. This authority now falls under the regulatory oversight of the DICT through Republic Act No. 7354 and Republic Act No. 10844.
Through the Amnesty Program, unregistered PEMEDES operators can regularize their operations without retroactive penalties. Registering with the DICT will allow them to enjoy benefits such as legal recognition, access to government-led training programs, enhanced market credibility, participation in government initiatives, and improved operational efficiency through best practices and technological tools provided by the DICT.
The amnesty program will unfold in three phases, starting with nationwide consultations and sentiment gathering this year. Following that, a digital registration portal and information campaign will be launched, with formal implementation beginning later this year and running into early next year.
More than just a regulatory measure, the program marks a step toward digital bayanihan—a collective effort to empower informal workers and recognize them as active participants in our growing digital economy. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, they kept goods moving when the world stood still,” Sec. Aguda said. “Now it’s our turn to deliver—by giving them legitimacy, support, and the recognition they’ve long deserved.”
