LTFRB-7 backs legalizing “habal-habal” operations

CEBU, Philippines — Legalizing “habal-habal” operations in the country has gained the support of the regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Central Visayas.

LTFRB-7 regional director Eduardo Montealto Jr. believes that habal-habal operations should be regulated but this can only be done if the government will recognize motorcycle taxi as an alternative mode of public transportation.

“Mas maayo nga ma legalized ilang operation kay aron matarong gyud na ilang operation. Aron makabalo sila nga kanang motorsiklo usa ra gyud ang dapat angkas ana, dili kay butangan pa og pako-pako para modaghan ang karga,” Montealto said.

The LTFRB has created a Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi-TWG) that is currently conducting a pilot study on making motorcycle taxi as an alternative mode of public transportation.

The MC Taxi-TWG has been urging “habal-habal” operators, especially in the provinces, to join the pilot study. But transport advocacy network, The Passenger Forum, has called on the MC Taxi-TWG to remove the cap for MC taxis to better serve the commuters.

TPF Convener Primo Morillo believes that setting a limit on the number of motorcycle taxis would impede the potential of MC taxis to serve commuters and provide livelihood for riders.

He added that removing the cap for MC taxis will allow operators to freely expand in the provinces and ensure that these riders are properly trained towards guaranteeing passenger safety.

The TPF convener also mentioned that removing the cap will also encourage more players to participate.

“The removal of limits for operating MC taxis will truly help commuters, riders, and even the government. We do not have to wait for the passage of the MC Taxi law to remove the cap as the TWG can do it now,” Morillo said.

He pointed out that habal-habal operations thrive because of the government’s apparent failure to provide adequate public transportation.

“It is no secret that many commuters appreciate and patronize motorcycle taxis especially now that there is an apparent lack of public utility vehicles,” said Morillo.

Morillo said that habal-habals proliferate because commuters are forced to patronize them despite the risks due to the lack of PUVs. Unlike registered MC taxis, habal-habals are considered less safe for commuters considering that they do not have stringent trainings and they do not offer accident insurance.

“The solution to the habal-habal problem is to accommodate them in the government’s MC taxi study,” Morillo said.

Montealto agreed that habal-habal drivers should be part of a registered MC taxi company considering the need for them to be registered and undergo proper training for safety, among others.

“Dili pwede nga mag-individual nga magpamember sila. Moapil gyud sila og registered MC taxi company kay mao man na ang mo train nila,” Montealto added. —/FPL (FREEMAN)