BY REGULATING the operation of habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) in Cebu City, Mayor Edgardo Labella believes it will help deter crime in the city.
This is after Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia had reintroduced the regulation of habal-habal drivers' operation in the city, which the City Council had referred to the committee on laws for further review.
Labella said by regulating their operations, drivers will be monitored, which includes ensuring they are not involved in any drug-related activities.
“That ordinance, I think, may contain safeguards that there will be no irregular or criminality (that will happen),” said Labella in a phone conference with the media.
Through their registration at their respective barangays, they will be monitored.
He also said that it is a good development, adding that habal-habal is becoming a necessity to the riding public in the city.
Labella added that the habal-habal system has to be regulated especially in mountain barangays “where there is not much enough mode of travel.”
Garcia has authored an ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance Granting to the Local Government of Cebu City the Power and Authority to issue Local Regulatory License and Permits to Operators of Motor Taxi commonly known as 'habal-habal' and transport network companies within Cebu City.
Based on the ordinance, Garcia wants the City Government to be involved in the issuance of local regulatory franchise/s of motorcycle taxi without interfering with the registration of the vehicles, which is one of the primary functions of the Land Transportation Office.
Last Aug. 4, 2019, Labella met with the group of habal-habal drivers to make them understand that there was a need to regulate their operation.
“They are earning a living so they should also be regulated and protected by the City Government,” Labella had said.
A similar ordinance was pushed by former councilor Jun Alcover during the previous administration, but it was not passed because he did not have the number in the council then.
Garcia hopes the ordinance will be passed this time, saying it's for the good of Cebu City.
Last Feb. 4, 2019, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the measure that seeks to allow and regulate the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles.
House Bill 8959, or the “Act Allowing and Regulating the Use of Motorcycles as Public Utility Vehicles, Amending for this Purpose Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, and for other purposes,” got a vote of 181-0. (SunStar Cebu)