Friday, January 18, 2008 Editorial: Habal-habal forever
ONCE more, the "habal-habal" problem comes back to haunt those who oppose this form of public transportation. This single motorcycle form of public transport, which charges fares in varying amounts agreed on after some haggling between driver and passenger, has been banned by a Davao City Council ordinance as long ago as 2006.
But, as in the case of many other laws in this country, the ordinance has been violated with such impunity that first-time visitors to this city would readily assume that the practice is legal. Sorry for the misconception. The operation of habal-habal transport is illegal. The honorable members of the City Council know it. The Land Transportation Office people know it. The traffic enforcers know it. Everybody knows it.
So much for all that knowledge. The habal-habal is here to stay, and you can bet on it. The consensus is that it is an important source of livelihood for those who would rather drive a motorcycle than work as laborers or farmers or waiters--or as Last 2 bet-takers. And it's a public service judging by the number of paying passengers who swear by it.
One lady councilor has even shown ambiguity towards the ordinance in the sense that, while she opposes 100 percent the operation of habal-habal within the city proper which is well-provided with other means of public transport, she commiserates with commuters who reside in the outer fringes of the city that are not served with adequate transport. She would rather have traffic enforcers look the other way in such cases instead of make arrests.
But let's get back to reality. Yes, the story of habal-habal operations in this city is indeed a reality show. The ordinance banning it is for real. But its continued practice sans serious arrests and punishment is just as real, too. Of course there are occasional arrests made here and there, but those are mainly for cigarette or coffee money for certain corrupt enforcers (enforcing ordinances can be such a boring pursuit).
The habal-habal is back in the news for the umpteenth time. "Is it here to stay?" you may wonder. Well, wonder no more. The councilors dare not touch the subject, even with a ten-foot pole. "Why?" you ask. "We only craft laws, not enforce them," comes the instant reply.
