SOME Angkas drivers believe that should the Supreme Court (SC) stop Angkas, it should also do the same to unregistered habal-habal operators, in the interest of fairness.
Angkas driver Jason Arcisa, 28, said that his family will be greatly affected by the recent decision of the SC.
“Kung ipahunong nila ang Angkas, ipahunong pod unta nila ang habal-habal kay pareha ra man na motor. Ang Angkas, naa man gani mi training (If they stop Angkas, they should also stop the other motorcycles-for-hire because we are the same—motorcycles. At least for Angkas, we have trainings),” said Arcisa.
On Dec. 12, Wednesday, the SC issued a temporary restraining order on a Mandaluyong court’s decision to allow Angkas to operate.
In an interview with Rappler, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be issuing an order for its sheriffs to apprehend Angkas drivers.
According to Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), private vehicles “shall not be used for hire under any circumstances.”
Another concern posed by the LTFRB is over the safety of Angkas passengers.
Arcisa, on the other hand, questioned this.
“Ang Angkas mas-safe man unta na kay ma-trace man mi if ever kung magbinuang ang mga driver (Angkas is even safer because it can be traced if the driver is doing something foolish),” he added.
Dioscoro Salinas, 34, who has been an Angkas driver since November, said that he would help other Angkas drivers if ever they would decide to appeal the court’s decision.
“Mutabang ko’g hangyo nga dili ipa-close. Dako og epekto man gud bisan sideline ra. Panginabuhian na baya na (I will help in appealing that this operation will not be closed. There’s a big effect even if this is just a sideline. It’s someone’s livelihood),” said Salinas.
Salinas earns P500 to P600 per day as a part-time Angkas driver, which he uses to support his family’s needs.
Bartolome Ladajos, 40, raised the same concern but said that he has no choice but to follow the Supreme Court’s decision over Angkas’ fate.
“Ginoo na g’yuy mag-igo kung asa na sad ta ani. Diskartehan nalang ni (It’s up to God what happens to us. We just have to hustle),” said Ladajo.
Pia Bernadette Gabuya, a regular Angkas passenger, expressed her disapproval, saying that removing Angkas would mean fewer options for commuters who want to survive Cebu’s traffic.
“As someone who lives somewhere where you have to go through Mambaling to get to school, dako jud kaayo’g tabang ang Angkas nako nga makaabot sa skwelahan nga dili ma-late (Angkas is really a big help so I can go to school on time). Tapos, naay record sa driver, and as far as I’ve used Angkas, safe ra sila mo-drive jud (Then, there is a record of the driver, and as far as I’ve used Angkas, I think they drive safely),” said Gabuya.
George (real name withheld) also said that banning Angkas is a big blow to the commuters, most especially with the upcoming Christmas season.
“Mas nindot man g’yod ang Angkas kay fixed ang presyo compared sa habal-habal, and karon nga ilang himoon napod nga illegal ang Angkas, this will be a big blow sa mga commuters, labi na karon nga Christmas daghan na sad mga mangungu-ot (Angkas is really better, especially since the price is fixed compared to the other motorcycles-for-hire, and now they want to make Angkas illegal again. This will be a big blow to commuters, especially this Christmas season when there are a lot of robbers),” he said. (Wenilyn Sabalo, USJ-R Intern)