AS long as they are “contained” in interiors and pocket roads, Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera has no qualms with habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) drivers operating in the city.
This came after three groups behind online-based transportation applications held a seminar two weeks ago with the drivers on how they can earn better using technology.
Garganera, head of the City Council committee on transportation, said he supports all forms of livelihood, but stood pat that motorcycles-for-hire should not be allowed to do business in major thoroughfares.
“If you’re trying to regulate it, I think there should be rules that should be considered. They should only serve in areas without public transport,” he said.
The councilor explained that he has reservations on the matter is that their operations may only add to traffic congestion in the city.
He said that it can’t be a legitimate mode of transportation, as it is not recognized by law due to concerns on public safety.
“It’s gone berserk and it’s dangerous. It has no insurance and no one’s willing to take a franchise,” said Garganera.
He wants to meet with former Land Transportation Office 7 Director Arnel Tancinco, who has been assigned by Mayor Tomas Osmeña to oversee the drivers, to discuss how to regulate them.
The mayor earlier said that by doing online bookings, the habal-habal drivers cannot collect huge fees from the passengers. He wanted to build two terminals in Barangays Apas and Lahug.
One will be built in Lahug market, while the other one will rise in a vacant lot in Apas.
Tancinco, executive assistant of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, said transport service providers such as Angkas, which is an affiliate of Grab and Uber, have presented their applications to the leaders of habal-habal drivers association.
Cebu City Riders, an organization of habal-habal drivers that has over 3,000 members, support the system.
Delfin Adolfo, consultant of Cebu City Riders, said the online booking system will help both the drivers and passengers since it will provide the latter with the details of the former.