Cebu City gov't backs regulation of habal-habals

CEBU - The Cebu City Hall is now planning to regulate the operation of motorcycles-for-hire commonly known as “habal-habals” and even encouraged its drivers and operators to form a cooperative so the city can help them in some ways.

Councilor Arsenio Pacaña sponsored a resolution requesting the city council to support the bill that is now pending before Congress empowering the local government units to regulate and issue franchises to these modes of transportation.

While motorcycles-for-hire are illegal, these are accepted by the public as they provide transportation to places not frequented or serviced by passenger jeepneys.

Even Arnel Tancinco of the City Traffic Operations Management said he supports the regulation of this kind of transport system because it can provide transport to people living in the mountain barangays.

Officials of the Department of Transportation and Communication, where the Land Transportation Office belongs, declared the habal-habal an illegal mode of transportation because it failed to comply with the required safety standards as a public transport system.

The habal-habal drivers operating in the mountains of Cebu City said they are happy the city is planning to assist them instead of conducting a campaign against them.

Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. said the habal-habal drivers and operators in the city’s north district are already organized, but Vice Mayor Michael Rama advised him to help them to form a cooperative so the city may be able to help, like in buying them crash helmets.

“Hain may maayo og ilisan lang nato ang ngalan nga habal-habal kay ngil-ad kaayo na paminawon alang sa atong mga gagmay’ng anak. Tiaw mo’y habal-habal,” Pacaña said to his fellow councilors.

“Unsa may maayo, angkas-angkas?” Rama quickly replied in jest.

Pe suggested that habal-habal should be called “Single Taxi” when the city starts regulating them here. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (THE FREEMAN)