To continue enticing more transport network services (TNS) drivers to sign up as among its partner drivers, OWTO has pioneered a first in its industry. It is now the first ever transport network vehicle services (TNVS) provider in the country to extend healthcare benefits to its partner-drivers.
On September 15, the startup ride-hailing app operator signed a memorandum of agreement with Manila-based health management organization (HMO) Integrated Management Systems, Inc. Under this partnership, over 5,000 existing OWTO drivers across Metro Manila and nearby areas will be entitled to healthcare, dental care, and life protection insurance benefits under the HMO’s Platinum Membership.
“This is a first in the TNVS and TNS industry,” said OWTO chief executive officer Joel Gayod. “This provides that OWTO is sincere in its efforts to uplift the condition of our driver-partners and help them in their chosen profession.”
IMS Chairman Rodelegio Almanzor and OWTO CEO Joel Gayod do the OWTO hand-sign during their memorandum of agreement signing.
For its part, Integrated Management Systems has expressed its gratitude of extending healthcare insurance to local drivers—the first time for the company and for both industries. “We believe that the transport sector especially the drivers should be given importance in terms of healthcare because their job comes with dangers and hazardous driving conditions,” said Integrated Management Systems president Josephine Almanzor.
In a short interview with Tech and Lifestyle Journal, Gayod disclosed that OWTO will subsidize the premiums to make the costs more bearable for their drivers. All its partner-drivers are automatically entitled to this benefit.
OWTO chief operating officer Paolo Libertad, on the other hand, revealed that the firm is still in talks with other companies from various industries to explore more partnership opportunities that will further benefit their drivers. He reiterated their goal to attract more TNVS drivers to use the OWTO platform.
OWTO is a fully Filipino-owned and operated TNVS company launched in May 2018. It is directly competing with Southeast Asian giant Grab, which this year absorbed the operations of another rival, Uber, across the region.