Friday, April 04, 2008 Rama aims to make 'habal-habal' rides safer
VICE Mayor Michael Rama has tapped several Cebu City councilors in making “habal-habal” motorcycles safer for travel.
He said the “habal-habal” has already gained a “de facto” recognition as means of transportation in areas not served by PUJs and other public transport.
He told City Councilors Gerardo Carillo, Eugenio Faelnar and Edgardo Labella to coordinate with the City Motorcycles-for-Hire Regulatory Board, which he heads.
That was after the City Council discussed the committee on traffic management’s report on City Councilor Richard Osmeña’s proposed measure amending the City’s Traffic Code.
Osmeña observed that many motorcycles are “overloaded with passengers or being operated recklessly or without regard for the safety of passengers.”
Packages
Many drivers are still minors, he said, and there are occasions when packages and bundles are loaded in such a way that they prevented the driver from keeping the motorcycle safe on track.
Rama said everybody knows that the “habal-habal” has become indispensable, like the trisikad and tricycle, so that officials tend to be lenient about it.
But the safety of the passengers should also be considered, he said.
Carillo said allowing more than one passenger to ride a motorcycle is risky.
Labella also mentioned a bill by Sen. Bong Revilla prohibiting children from riding motorcycles.
Private vehicle
City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem reminded the Council that under Republic Act 4136, “habal-habal” motorcycles are not allowed as a means of public transport, as a motorcycle is considered a private vehicle.
But their operation has been tolerated because of necessity, especially in mountain areas where the allowed modes of transportation are scarce.
Faelnar, Association of Barangay Councils president, recommended that the City Government have somebody train “habal-habal” drivers on road safety and courtesy. (RHM)
