IN MOST developing countries, motorcycles are essential as mode of transportation. The Philippines has tricycles as well as “habal-habal” or the “motorcycle-for-hire. But the latter’s operation is illegal.
Cebu City Hall, through the City Council, has appropriated P15 million for the purchase of sacks of rice to be given to Angkas and habal-habal drivers who will be displaced in the intensified campaign by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) against motorcycles-for-hire.
This is in view of the recent Supreme Court decision favoring the petition of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to make the use of motorcycles as means of public transport illegal based on Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Rules enacted in 1964.
Chapter 2 (Registration of Motor Vehicles), Article 1, Section 7 of the said law states that every motor vehicle shall be registered under one of the following classifications: private passenger automobiles; private trucks; and private motorcycles, scooters or motor wheel attachments.
“Motor vehicles registered under these classifications shall not be used for hire under any circumstances and shall not be used to solicit, accept, or be used to transport passengers or freight for pay,” the law states.
But not all city councilors supported the measure, citing the timing of the “assistance” as the elections are fast approaching. The others claim this is only a “band aid solution” as they want a long-term one.
I agree with those who aired their reservations on the measure. The “former political has-been,” who is an Angkas advocate, is just riding on the predicament of the affected drivers so they will see him as a hero. Well, any help is welcome even if it has ulterior and political motives.
What is one sack of rice to the family of displaced drivers? Where does the head of the family get the money for their needs? Even those who have other sources of income, like construction workers, security guards and even professionals, are sidelining as habal-habal drivers.
I can also sympathize with the affected drivers. Though Angkas and habal-habal operation is illegal, it helps the commuting public, especially now that the traffic problem has worsened. In the rural areas, especially in the mountain barangays, there is no other means of transportation except habal-habal.
But as I said, since it is illegal, government, through the agencies concerned, should implement the law.
Still, instead of giving a “band-aid solution” to the problem, why won’t our local leaders and politicians do something to address this problem long-term? Local legislators all over the country can pass resolutions urging Congress to amend the law prohibiting the operation of motorcycles-for-hire. But there should be regulations, like operators getting insurance for the drivers and the passengers etc.
Congressmen know better about the need for and benefits of the operations of motorcycles-for-hire in their respective localities. Kun way kalibutan ning mga congressmen kung unsa ka importante ning habal-habal sa ilang lugar, nagpakita na nga wala mosuroy sa ilang distrito.