'Habal-habal' drivers to form group

CEBU, Philippines - About 500 drivers of “habal-habal” or motorcycles-for-hire from barangays Lahug, Apas and Busay, Cebu City attended yesterday’s general assembly and agreed to organize themselves, glad that City Hall officials are allow them to continue with their means of living.

While the event was ongoing, Mayor Michael Rama arrived driving a motorcycle and wearing a crash helmet, surprising everyone body in the sports complex of barangay Apas.

Rama was happy to observe that the traffic situation near the intersection of Gorordo Avenue and Salinas Drive has greatly improved after the creation of the Oplan Hagibis three weeks ago.

He quickly took the microphone and delivered a message to the smiling habal-habal drivers, explaining why he decided to ride a motorcycle in going to the front of the stage.

“Ang pagsakay nako og motorsiklo sa pagpaingon nako dinhi sa inyong atubangan maoy pagpasabot nga ako ug kamo… usa ra,” Rama said as he discouraged the habal-habal drivers from violating the laws on proper driving. (It means that you and I are one.)

City Administrator Jose Mari Poblete, chairman of the Oplan Hagibis, was tasked to address the traffic congestion because of some undisciplined habal-habal drivers. He asked cooperation from the motorcycle riders.

“Kooperasyon lang g’yud ang among gipangayo kaninyo. Duna man g’yud ta’y balaod nga angay’ng sundon busa ato lang tumanon para mahapsay ang atong karsada,” Poblete told the habal-habal drivers. (I ask for your cooperation. Let’s all follow the laws to maintain order in our streets.)

Lahug Barangay Captain Jovito Taborada, Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman and Busay’s Eliodoro “Yody” Sanchez attended the assembly.

Poblete advised the drivers to organize themselves by chapters, depending on where they operate and to register their groups in the barangays where they are operating.

There was a suggestion to require the drivers to display their driver’s licenses and their identification cards that will be issued by City Hall to make it easy for law enforcers to identify violators.

According to Poblete, the three barangay captains have assured that they will assign some of their tanods in areas experiencing traffic problems.

Domingo Abarquez, who operates near JY Square although a resident of Sudlon 1, called on authorities to discipline his colleagues who do not follow the queue.

Poblete said the initial plan is to require the drivers to wear uniforms in different colors to make it easy to identify what group they belong.

“Kadtong dili magpalista ug dili mag-uniporme alihan nato didto sa ibabaw ug dakpon,” said Sanchez, whose barangay hall is situated in the upper portion of Nivel Hills.

A representative of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) also asked the habal-habal drivers to comply with the guidelines to avoid fines.

Driving a vehicle without a license is punishable with a fine of P1,500 and another P1,000 for the owner of the vehicle, while driving a vehicle with expired registration would face a fine of P4,000.

According to Poblete the creation of the Oplan Hagibis is not intended to stop their livelihood but to encourage them to comply with the laws and to keep order in our roads. (FREEMAN)