Jesus Ogayre, Jr., 38, was running his small computer shop and softdrinks wholesale business in Pandacan, Manila when a friend urged him to put his family vehicle, a Mistubishi Adventure, to better use by driving for Lalamove.
Curious, he went to a Lalamove orientation with his documents— police clearance, driver’s license, pictures of vehicle, OR/CR—and by the end of the day, he was convinced he could do it part-time. He paid the P3,000 cash bond and began driving for Lalamove the next day. That was in June 2018—he is still with the logistics company today, and as a full-time driver.
“When I started, Lalamove was more like a hobby that brought in extra income. But I enjoyed it, and l I found myself going home only when there were no more bookings. It’s now a full-time job for me, and it pays for our monthly mortgage on the Adventure,” Ogayre said.
Working with the logistics company, which is also popular in Singapore and Hong Kong, introduced Ogayre to GCash. He had never used any mobile wallet apps but as a Lalamove driver, he needed to download GCash to receive his earnings.
Lalamove is one of many companies that have moved their payment platforms to GCash’s Powerpay+ for more convenience and better security. Powerpay+ is an online disbursement facility that makes remitting commissions, salaries, incentives, allowances, and even loans easier and safer with the use of GCash. Employers who use Powerpay+ can simply move funds from their GCash account to other enrolled GCash accounts.
“At first, I found it difficult to use something unfamiliar but the more I used GCash, the easier it became for me. I learned how to top up, which I usually do at 7-Eleven stores, and now I can even send money,” he said.
Ogayre discovered the convenience of sending money through GCash when one of the recipients for a booking was not there to receive the package and had left no money with those who will accept his delivery.
“The client called me and asked if she could just transfer the payment to my GCash account. I said OK, and she sent the P500 payment to my GCash. That’s it—it was fast,” he said.
Ogayre, a father of four, said he himself used GCash’s Send Money feature when a friend approached him for a small loan. He transferred funds from his GCash account to his friend’s GCash account. His friend also used GCash to send payment to Ogayre’s PNB account.
Besides sending money, Ogayre also uses GCash to buy load; he received P50 free load because of one transaction.
“I really want to learn everything in the GCash app, especially how to pay bills. I want to know more about how I can use it everyday. I’ll ask the other drivers for tips on how they use GCash,” he said.
Ogayre, whose vehicle is in Lalamove’s MPV (300 kg) category, said he could earn as much as P12,000 weekly from Lalamove if he works six days a week. His bookings usually involve delivering cake, cosmetics, flowers, auto supply, and even electric fans, but his most valuable package so far were medicines and medical supplies, which came with a staff escort from Pasig. The company that booked Lalamove was a supplier to Mercury Drug, also a GCash merchant partner.
Ogayre’s wife now runs their shop and softdrinks business while he takes on a different journey with Lalamove, discovering new ways of doing things.