CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. has proposed an ordinance creating the Motorcycle-for-Hire Regulatory Office (MHRO).
The proposed measure entitled “Motorcycle-for-Hire Regulatory Office Ordinance” was referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling as well as the Committee on Transportation for review.
The City of Cebu crafted City Ordinance No. 1436, known as an ordinance creating the Motorcycle-For-Hire Regulatory Board and the Board of Secretariat of the city, which was passed in 1992. It was further amended by CO 1576 and CO 1932.
“There is a need to create an office that will serve as the implementing arm of the policies or programs of the regulatory board,” read the proposed ordinance.
Section 3 provides that the MHRO shall be primarily composed of the co-terminus personnel who are appointed by the City Mayor.
It shall be headed by an executive director with supporting administrative staff.
Among the functions of the MHRO are to act as the Secretariat of the Motorcycle-for-Hire Regulatory Board; implement the policies or programs created by the said board; consolidate database for the accredited “habal-habal” drivers; and create linkages with various habal-habal drivers’ associations.
It shall also coordinate with the Cebu City Traffic Office relating to matters involved in the designated routes or terminals for the habal-habal drivers as being promulgated by the Motorcycle-for-Hire Regulatory Board.
Once approved, the minimum amount of P2 million annually shall be charged to the General Fund for the immediate implementation of the provisions of the ordinance.
The council earlier requested Mayor Michael Rama to convene the Motorcycle-For-Hire Regulatory Board to address the concerns of habal-habal drivers in the city.
In a privilege speech, Alcover said it has been 30 years since the ordinance was passed yet the programs and policies regarding habal-habal drivers still have no concrete direction.
“Kung atong iphon ang katuigan nga milabay, sukad sa pagpasar aning ordinansa No. 1436 niadtong 1992, ika-30 years na ang nakalabay. Apan, ang mga programa ug lagda mahitungod sa mga motorcycle-for-hire drivers or habal-habal drivers nagpabilin nga walay konkretong direksyon,” Alcover earlier said. — GMR (FREEMAN)