Joking about food delivery hotlines as “emergency hotlines” during a storm isn’t funny

They say part of our culture as Filipinos is our unique and persistent sense of humor—which becomes apparent even during dark times such as calamities. Supposedly, it’s a show of our resilience. True, having an undying sense of humor can be a source of pride. Do you remember the divas who shot a fashion editorial amidst the storm? That was good fun. It made us laugh, PLUS it didn’t hurt anybody. That’s not always the case. The thing with treating everything as a joke is, some of them often get misplaced. For instance, we were just hit by yet another storm, right? The monstrous Ompong. One of the tweets I noticed going around then was a joke (I’m assuming it was a joke) on food delivery hotlines being referred to as “emergency hotlines.”

Ingat po tayong lahat…#TyphoonOmpongPH
EMERGENCY HOTLINE

Jollibee: 8-7000
McDonald’s: 8-6236
Burger King: 667-7171
KFC: 887-8888
Chowking: 9-8888
Army Navy: 333-3131
Wendy’s: 533-3333
Pizza Hut: 911-1111
Shakey’s: 77-7777
Greenwich: 5-5555
Mang-Inasal: 733-1111

— Mc_Rey (@Mackreyes20) September 15, 2018

Ingat po tayong lahat..
#TyphoonOmpong

EMERGENCY HOTLINE

Jollibee: 8-7000
McDonald’s: 8-6236
Burger King: 667-7171
KFC: 887-8888
Chowking: 9-8888
Army Navy: 333-3131
Wendy’s: 533-3333
Pizza Hut: 911-1111
Shakey’s: 77-7777
Dunkin’: 988-7288
Greenwich: 5-5555

— Zandro? (@gianmancee) September 14, 2018

Ingat po tayong lahat #TyphoonOmpong

EMERGENCY HOTLINE
Jollibee: 8-7000
McDonald’s: 8-6236
Burger King: 667-7171
KFC: 887-8888
Chowking: 9-8888
Army Navy: 333-3131
Wendy’s: 533-3333
Pizza Hut: 911-1111
Shakey’s: 77-7777
Dunkin’: 988-7288
Greenwich: 5-5555
Mang-Inasal: 733-1111

— em (@jmbnmndz) September 14, 2018

Thankfully, Some netizens called this behavior out, citing the dangers delivery men endure during these days.

THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY HOTLINE
Stop spreading this bcause you’re putting the life of the delivery man in danger. Cook your own food. Buy fastfood the next day
You better share the real emergency hotlines like the ones who could really help save people#justsaying #typhoonompong pic.twitter.com/9yaPt6m7vO

— Jhello Ferrer (@jhellsssjourney) September 15, 2018

Although taken in 2017, the post below highlights the length riders go to just to finish their job.

Have some heart, guys. As pointed out, the money they earn that day might not even cover their medical expenses, if ever they get sick from braving the floods just to get to you. It’s highly likely too. With their slacks and socks soaked in dirty floodwater, they still have to report back to their bosses and continue working until the end of the day. Establishments need to take better care of their employees too. Some food chains like Shakey’s took the lead and stopped accepting orders in consideration for their riders’ safety. Hopefully, others will soon follow suit. In the meantime, just because these services are available, doesn’t mean it’s okay to abuse them. I mean, just imagine if he was your little brother, or boyfriend. Or you. These riders are already working their a**es off, coming into work even with the threat of the storm just to earn some money, while you lounge around, waiting for your pizza to arrive. I’m sorry, but that makes you a douche. A little empathy goes a long way, and the least you can do is refrain from ordering in.

And besides, we’re a country hit by multiple storms each year, since forever. By now, you should already be familiar with SOPs, including stacking up your pantry with food, precisely because going out and getting some gets difficult, and in some cases, impossible (It’s simple: If you can’t get out, then your rider can’t get in). Next time, just be more mindful. During times of difficulties, show empathy not just to riders, but to everyone. Instead of sharing food delivery hotlines, share real emergency hotlines. It might mean the world to people in life and death situations.