Honest Uber Driver Gets Kudos from Environmental Group

A very grateful Thony Dizon (left) gets the XRF device back from Uber driver Francisco Martin.

The EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental group, profusely thanked Mr. Francisco “Toto” Martin, an honest Uber driver residing in Parañaque City, for returning a very expensive chemicals screening device worth P1.8 million that was left behind in his vehicle.  Martin is the driver of a white Mitsubishi Adventure van with plate number NQ 2484.

On early Sunday morning of November 12, 2017, Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition ordered a ride with Uber from Matalino St. to Quezon Memorial Circle for the launch of the group’s annual drive for safe and non-toxic toys.  Martin accepted Dizon’s order and brought him and his wife Nora to the requested destination.  Unfortunately, the luggage-like case containing the group’s X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device was accidentally left behind the car. 

Dizon then reported the matter via Uber app but was unable to get in touch with Martin.  A frantic Dizon then went to the nearest police station to report the incident.  An hour after filing a police report, Dizon finally got hold of Martin.  A meeting was arranged in Taguig City and the XRF device was finally returned to Dizon on the same day.

“We are very grateful to Kuya Toto for his honesty and cooperation.  The XRF is not only expensive.  It is a very important advocacy tool that has allowed our group to screen products such as toys, childcare articles, school supplies, cosmetics and paints for toxic chemicals that are damaging to human health and the environment.  This device is probably our best performing asset that has contributed to increasing consumer awareness about chemicals in products, and to exposing hazardous products in the marketplace.”

“We thank Kuya Toto from the bottom of our hearts for his honesty and service.  He is an outstanding Uber driver indeed,” said Dizon.