City to extend aid to 'habal-habal' drivers

THE Cebu City Government will extend assistance to drivers of motorcycles-for-hire who will be affected by the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which bans the use of motorcycles as public transportation.

During the special session on Monday, Dec. 17, the City Council approved the resolution of Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos charging P15 million to the City’s share of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) funds.

The amount will be used to buy sacks of rice that will be distributed to the estimated 6,500 drivers of habal-habal and the ride-hailing application Angkas, who live in the city’s 80 barangays.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella welcomed the resolution, saying he felt sorry for the affected drivers and their families.

The other members of the opposition also voted in favor of the resolution, although Councilor Raymond Garcia was skeptical about de los Santos’ motive.

“I’m just wondering if this is meant to help the habal-habal drivers or is it part of their campaign for 2019?” he said in Cebuano.

So, too, was Councilor Pastor Jun Alcover.

“This is a palliative solution, temporary, and what the habal-habal (drivers) need is a permanent solution. I’m questioning the motive of this resolution. Why only now that Angkas received a TRO (temporary restraining order)? If we really want to help, we should have done it years ago. Even if we will give them something, they will still be apprehended. That’s why I can’t see the sense of the resolution,” he said during the deliberation of the resolution.

Alcover clarified, though, that he was not against the resolution.

The Supreme Court (SC) recently ruled that the authorities can apprehend habal-habal drivers, including those under Angkas.

“Many of our constituents are engaged in the practice, taking on paying passengers on motorcycles, or habal-habal, as means of livelihood, especially in the mountain barangays,” read a portion of the resolution.

“Because of the SC ruling, many of our constituents will lose their means of livelihood; therefore, there is a need to give the displaced habal-habal drivers emergency assistance in the amount of P15 million,” the resolution added.

De los Santos said Pagcor funds can be used for the emergency assistance since these will help alleviate poverty among the poor.

“We approved the amount in response to the TRO issued by SC. As to the beneficiaries, it will be identified under the guidelines set by the executive. It’s so sad to note that the SC issued a TRO. It’s good that this administration is so sensitive to the plight of the habal-habal drivers,” she said.

De los Santos said the executive will work on the guidelines so the assistance can be released immediately.

“We can fast-track this so we can give within the season because we’re doing this in the spirit of Christmas. Also, it will defeat the purpose if we release this after December,” she said.

Under the resolution, a committee will be formed by the Office of the Mayor to formulate the guidelines as to who can avail themselves of the assistance.

George Royeca, Angkas head for regulatory and public affairs, said they are happy with the development.

“We are very hopeful that there will be other leaders that will follow the forward-looking vision of the Cebu City mayor in terms of really helping out the needs of the public. So this is something that we welcome. We’re very, very thankful. You know our goal is the same as the mayor, which is really to provide alternative traffic solutions to the existing worsening traffic situation,” Royeca said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña will offer a mass at the Archbishop’s Palace on Sunday, Dec. 23. Leaders of motorcycle-for-hire groups are expected to attend.

“We are going to ask for blessing from up there to help us. We want to divert the agitation of the drivers to something more spiritual,” he said.

Osmeña invited House Speaker Gloria Arroyo and Senate President Vicente Sotto III to grace the mass, which will be officiated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

“(I will be) asking them to listen to the plight of the people to legitimize what is already reality,” he said.

Osmeña said he wants the two leaders of the legislature to listen to the drivers’ grievances and to their requests to legitimize the operation of motorcycles-for-hire.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 has started its operation against Angkas and habal-habal drivers after receiving an order from the Department of Transportation.

LTO 7 Director Victor Caindec asked for public understanding, saying they are only doing their job in apprehending this mode of transportation.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 will temporarily occupy a 600-square-meter lot in Talisay City, as it anticipates the hundreds or thousands of motorcycles that will be impounded.

LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said the lot owner will not charge rent, but owners of impounded motorcycles will have to pay storage for the use of the property.

Montealto reiterated that motorcycles have no franchise to transport any passenger, as this violates RA 4136.

He said those who favor converting motorcycles as a means of passenger transport must go to Congress to amend the law.

He reminded the public that first-time violators will also have to pay a fine of P6,000. (RVC, PAC of SuperBalita Cebu/KAL, EOB)