New city transport scheme in the offing

CEBU, Philippines - An online booking system for motorcycles for hire or habal-habal may just be the newest transport scheme in Cebu City.

Arnel Tancinco, executive assistant III, disclosed that Mayor Tomas Osmeña is supporting the move for as long as the City Council approves the proposed ordinance that would allow the city to issue local regulatory franchise to habal-habal operators.

The proposal, penned by Councilor Pastor Alcover, Jr., will be subject to final deliberation in the Council.

"In our initial meetings, the mayor was amenable with the proposal of Angkas, a Singaporean firm but based in Manila City. As of now, naghuwat pa sila sa ordinance nga pending sa City Council para makahibalo sila sa policy sa syudad," Tancinco told The FREEMAN.

The mayor has tasked Tancinco to find ways to recognize the presence of the increasing number of habal-habal units in the city, at least 10,000 of them, so far.

Tancinco said the system is like that of the existing services of Grab car and Uber wherein passengers use a mobile application to book pick-up and drop-off locations for a fixed upfront price.

However, Tancinco emphasized that the scheme, once in place, will be voluntary.

"If I'm not wrong, ga-start na ning Angkas sa Manila sa ilang grab bike. Sooner, mahitabo na sa syudad kon ma establish na pod ang atong ordinance," he said.

Tancinco said the system will assist the city in regulating the habal-habal operation.

If the ordinance will be enacted, habal-habal operation here will fall under two categories - freelance and the booking system.

In its website, Angkas said the safety of clients and operators is their top priority.

"Professional Bikers, all Bikers go through background check, safety training and skills assessment. Safety Equipment; good quality helmets, masks, and ponchos are provided for your safety and comfort; and Insurance; rest assured that you are covered by insurance," a statement in www.angkas.com reads.

Angkas said there is a fixed upfront pricing for non-peak periods start at P50 for the first two kilometers and P10 for every succeeding kilometer. 

Kickoff

Once in place, Tancinco said the booking system will be implemented first by one of the more established habal-habal organizations in the city in Barangay Mambaling.

The organization has 1,000 drivers servicing the South Road Properties.

"Mao na ang initial nga napili kay organized na gyod sila, contained ilang route. We want to implement the system in a small group usa para we can make adjustments and ma-custom fit ang policy para responsive sa needs sa clients and the operators as well," he said.

Tancinco admitted the need to regulate the presence of habal-habal drivers in the city. Councilor Joel Garganera has described the presence of habal-habal as having contributed to the "chaotic" situation in the streets.

"Dili naman malikayan. Naa na gyod na sila. Kailangan i-recognize na gyod sila officially," he said.  (FREEMAN)