At least three Cebuano lawmakers are supporting calls by thousands of motorcycle ride-sharing drivers, more popularly known as Angkas and habal-habal, to allow their operation as legitimate public transport service providers.
The proposed measure seeks to authorize local government units to regulate the operations of habal-habals and grant franchises for their operations
Representatives Raul del Mar and Rodigo Abellanosa both of Cebu City and Jonas Cortes of the 6th District, are asking the House Committee on Transportation to act on the pending House Bill 6909 or “An Act Regulating Motors-For-Hire Known as Habal-habal or Angkas.”
The proposed measure seeks to authorize local government units such as cities and municipalities to regulate the operations of habal-habals and grant franchises for their operations.
It will amend for the purpose Section 458 of RA 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines and RA 4136 or The Land Transportation Code.
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This developed as the Department of Transportation announced that it has formed technical working group to discuss issues and study the prospect of motorcycles operating as public transport.
Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 Director Victor Caindec said they have been in constant contact with every stakeholder and all other concerned industry players to determine the viability of the proposal.
For his part, Lyndon Obaob, spokesman of Angkas and Cebu Motorcycle Riders Group, said that their livelihood has been greatly affected, following the Supreme Court’s issuance of temporary restraining order on their operations late last year.
He insisted that not only the 7,000 drivers in Cebu City that were affected but also their 40,000 family members who rely on them for their daily existence.
“Don’t treat us like criminals in the streets,” Obaob said asking the police to allow them to operate as ride-sharing drivers.
But Cebu City Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Goyina Garma said unless the TRO is lifted, they will continue to implement the law and apprehend Angkas and habal-habal drivers.
“I think the wisdom in passing the law disallowing their operations is because of safety and general welfare of the public,” she said.
