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Wednesday, August 02, 2006
'Habal-habal' to remain illegal: councilor
By Barbara Carla R. Quiero
THE "habal-habal" ordinance prohibiting the use of single motorcycles as public transportation will remain despite calls of habal-habal operators to recall the ordinance, said Davao City Councilor Jesus A. Zozobrado.
A group identifying themselves as the Operators of Single Motorcycles submitted a position paper to the City Council committee on energy, transportation and communications requesting the recall or deferment of the implementation of the habal-habal city ordinance.
Operators of Single Motorcycles are represented by Striker Motorcycle Riders Association chairman Ronaldo S. Castel, New Caballero Riders Club president Jose C. Serentas, and Meloda Express Line Operators president Nonie T. Mediana.
The ordinance amended City Ordinance 373 and now requires motorcycle drivers to wear crash helmets and limit backriders to only one person and has prohibited backriders below eight years old and from single motorcycles being used as public conveyance.
During a committee hearing conducted by Zozobrado last June 9, Castel said the ordinance threatens the livelihood of 14,000 habal-habal operators.
Serentes said while their group is aware that habal-habal operation is illegal, they cannot stop because they don't have any means of earning a living.
He requested that their operation be legalized.
Mediana, who echoed the sentiments of Serentas, said there are only three public utility jeepney units plying the Magtuod-Bankerohan route.
Castel also insisted they be allowed to have two backriders or passengers to make up for the cost of gasoline, engine maintenance, and other related expenses.
However, based on the committee report of Zozobrado, which was approved on second reading during the regular session of the City Council Tuesday, it was stressed that the use of single motorcycles as public land transport is prohibited by law and will greatly endanger the lives not only of the drivers and passengers but also other motorists and pedestrians.
"The Land Transportation Office (LTO), which is the government office mandated by law to register motor vehicles, will not register single motorcycles for hire because the law prohibits it," the findings states.
It added that the technical committee of the Department of Transportation and Communication has already denied a proposal for the operation of motorcycles for hire for public safety's sake.
LTO-Southern Mindanao regional director Gomer Dy, during the committee hearing, said there is also no insurance agency providing Compulsory Third Partly Liability for motorcycles for hire.
After the committee hearing, Zozobrado said the committee recommended that there is no need to repeal the ordinance as it protects the safety of the public.
Zozobrado passed a resolution ordering the Traffic Management Center to coordinate with punong barangays and other officials of remote barangays in the city to effectively implement the amended habal-habal ordinance and adopt a ticketing system or issue accountable receipts to discourage the operation of unregistered motorcycles by unlicensed drivers and those not using helmets.
He also submitted a resolution urging habal-habal operators operating in population centers and low-land barangays in the city to attach or provide sidecars to their units for them to apply with the Davao City Motorized Tricycle For-Hire Franchising and Regulatory Board for a franchise or permit to operate.
The resolutions were approved Tuesday by the City Council.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (August 2, 2006 issue)
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