THE proposal that would allow and regulate the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles is now a step closer to realization.
Cebu City Rep. Raul Del Mar (Cebu City, North), one of eight sponsors of the proposed legislation, said House Bill 8959 was approved on second reading on Jan. 30.
“We will work on its passage on third and final reading next week before Congress adjourns on Wednesday,” Del Mar said.
Under Committee Report 1144, the House of Representatives committee on transportation consolidated all pending legislation that sought to convert motorcycles-for-hire (habal-habal) into a public mode of transport under House Bill 8959.
Congress is set to adjourn on Feb. 6 with the campaign period for the May 2019 elections beginning on Feb. 12 for senatorial candidates and March 30 for candidates for the House of Representatives.
Del Mar hopes the bill could be approved on May 22, when both the House of Representatives and the Senate resume work after the elections.
The Senate would have three weeks until June 7 to come up with its own version of House Bill 8959.
House Bill 8959 will allow and regulate the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles and will amend Republic Act (RA) 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
As this developed, a local transport official said it would take time to determine the merits of using motorcycles-for-hire.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said the LTO would await the recommendation of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on the merits of using motorcycles-for-hire.
Caindec said they will ensure that these recommendations will help to ensure the safety of the riding public.
At the same time, he said, “The DOTr maintains that the move to allow (the use of) motorcycles for commercial use, especially for the purpose of carrying passengers, needs a thorough study.”
Therefore, Caindec added, that study should also include the manufacturers, road safety practitioners and experts, as well as other stakeholders.
“In other words, it is not something that can be discussed in a very fast manner. While the TWG has already convened to discuss those details, I don’t think that that is something that can be addressed very soon,” Caindec said.
“Having said that,” Caindec said, “we are of the position that the continued operation of (motorcycle ride-hailing firm) Angkas and habal-habal remains illegal.”
Caindec said he discussed the matter with DOTr Undersecretary Mark de Leon, who told him that the position primarily of DOTr is that because motorcycles-for-hire are not allowed under RA 4136, then the DOTr cannot recommend the legalization of Angkas or habal-habal until that law is repealed or amended.
The DOTr created the TWG to study the feasibility of motorcycles as a mode of passenger transportation in connection with the bill filed by Del Mar co-authored by Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City, South).
House Bill 8959’s other sponsors are Rep. Red Durano (Cebu, 5th), Bohol 3rd District Rep. Arthur Yap, South Cotabato First District Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr., Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Juliette Uy, Catanduanes District Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, Buhay Partylist Rep. Mariano Michael Velarde Jr., and Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon.
It substitutes House Bills 1215, 2530, 3941, 6909, 8819 and 8822.
Section 3 of HB 8959 defines a motorcycle-for-hire as “any two-wheeled motor vehicle that may be registered with the Land Transportation Office as for hire and may be used as a commercial vehicle to transport passengers and goods, provided that for transporting passengers, the motorcycle shall have a minimum engine displacement of 125 cubic centimeters and a backbone type built.” (RVC, EOB)