HOUSE Bill 8959, which the House of Representatives passed on third reading last Monday (Feb. 4), does not mention Angkas or “habal-habal.” Not in any part of the bill. The title is Motorcycles for Hire Act.
Yet it will bring good fortune to Angkas and subject habal-habals to a severe ordeal. Effects of the historic move to legalize and regulate a mode of public transport without which, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena dramatically said, the local economy will collapse.
Critics such as City Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. ranted against coddling of Angkas by Mayor Osmena and his political party. The House bill, however, is not just a product of two BOPK congressmen: Raul del Mar and Bebot Abellanosa. Twenty-two other lawmakers who principally authored five versions, including Cebu fifth district’s Ramon “Red” Durano, are credited for the bill.
Why does Angkas benefit from the bill--and why woe to habal-habals, whose owners make a living from their vehicle?
Organized outfit
Angkas is organized like a fine, well-oiled corporate machine: it uses equipment and standards that promote passenger safety and enable swift deployment of vehicles run by screened and trained drivers. Angkas is prepared to meet the requirements of the law. On-their-own habal-habal operators are probably not.
Requirements on licensing (a CPC or special permit), restrictions on fare and route, penalties on violations and a host of other limits, which Department of Transportation and the regulatory board LTFRB will draft after Congress approves the bill, may prove too much for the individual habal-habal owner.
App or platform
The bill says LTFRB may allow motorcycles for hire (MFHs) to “choose and use online ride-hailing application or pre-arranged transport platform, duly accredited by the proper agency.” Read that: companies such as Angkas. The bill doesn’t mention Angkas but it seems tailor-fitted to gobble up independent MFHs they have the means and luxury to pick.
Angkas or similar firms will be the haven of MFHs that do not or cannot secure licenses. Convenient for the ride-hailing apps–and the government regulators that will oversee over packs, not individuals. Speaking of which, LTO and LTFRB are overwhelmed in their present workload. It will be tons heavier when thousands of motorcycles are added to their scope of overseeing functions.
Politics, votes, money
Local officials who publicly display their affection for the drivers and their families as well as the commuters --part of their constituency–-are also doing Angkas a big favor: pushing a bill that neatly fits into the company’s multimillion-peso enterprise. Politics, votes, big money.
Politicians who saw the possibilities first and acted on them must be grinning.