CITOM chief says it is helpful

CEBU, Philippines - Tumulak told The freeman that the House Bill of Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal will promote development in Cebu City, particularly in remote barangays because it can uplift and increase their livelihood.

He said the public need not worry because it will not cause traffic congestion in roads with proper and strict regulations implemented.

"Maghimo lang ta og mga pamaagi para ma-control ang mga habal-habal sa syudad," Tumulak said.

This way, Tumulak said the fare matrix will be controlled.

He added that they would also have to determine the areas where habal-habal drivers may legally operate so as not to add up to traffic congestion.

However, he said massive participation and cooperation of all barangays is highly needed if the bill will be approved in the senate.

"I-organize ang mga habal-habal drivers. Ang kinahanglan naay mga officers mag represent nila," he added.

He further said there must be a thorough screening of habal-habal drivers in barangays and should require adequate clearances in order not to put in danger the lives of the commuters.

The bill submitted by Rep. Oaminal seeks to legalize the mode of transportation by registering habal-habal units and its owners with respective Local Government Units (LGUs) and would be subject to the guidelines of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

According to the bill, " habal-habal shall be prohibited from operating along national highways and will be only allowed a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour."

In a separate development, Cebu City market administrator Raquel Arce said they will be implementing a stricter enforcement on the regulation of push carts or locally known "carumata or lantay" in all city markets.

Arce said the owners of pushcarts are only allowed to roam around the streets and within the vicinity of the markets until 5 in the morning, to prevent traffic congestion.

"If makit-an namo sila 5am onwards i-confiscate gyud namo ang ilang pushcarts," she said. (FREEMAN)