THE technical working group (TWG) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will evaluate if it would allow motorcycle taxi, or habal-habal, to operate.
DOTr Assistant Sec. Mark Richmund De Leon said the TWG will tackle the legality and Supreme Court’s decision against Angkas (a motorcycle-ride hailing app). The TWG, he said, will also discuss how to regulate the habal-habal.
The DOTr, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, government transportation and traffic agencies, transport and non-governmental organizations compose the TWG. Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north district) and Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City, south district) accompanied Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña during the hearing on habal-habal last Monday, Jan. 14.
The hearing was led by Rep. Winston Castelo (Quezon City, second district), the head of the House committee on Metro Manila Development.
Castelo said there is not enough time for the House to pass a law that would legalize habal-habal because they only have three sessions left before adjourning for the midterm elections.
For his part, De Leon said said they will check the legality of allowing motorcycle-for-hire because Republic Act 4136 (the Land Transportation and Traffic Code) does not include private motorycles and scooters as one of the modes of public transport. (From PAC of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)