After Angkas told to stop operation, who is policing the habal-habals in Cebu?
CENTRAL VISAYAS: CEBU CITY
THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory BoardCentral Visayas (LTFRB-7) is leaving it up to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to monitor and penalize habal-habal drivers, particularly those in Cebu City, where motorcycles are a popular means of an informal public transport. Last week, the LTFRB ordered the stoppage of Angkas operations nationwide. “(As for the
habal-habal) we will leave them to our counterparts in the Land Transportation Office, which has primary jurisdiction over all transportation violations,” said LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed G. Cuizon. He said LTFRB was concerned on Angkas, a motorcycle hailing application, because it operates as a transport network company (TNC), which needs authority from the agency. He added that Angkas members operate as transport network vehicle service (TNVS) providers who do not have franchises from LTFRB. “They (Angkas) are clearly within our lookout just like Uber and Grab which are TNCs and whose members are serving as TNVS operators,” Mr. Cuizon said. On the other hand, he said, habal-habals are a plain violation of transportation laws “but they do not pretend to be TNVS units.” In August, the Cebu City government expressed support through a resolution to Angkas as it is considered a “cheaper and safer” option for commuters. “In Cebu City, as traffic conditions worsened, commuters are suffering from the lack of efficient mass transport system, making the
habal-habal transportation as a practical and viable alternative,” reads part of the resolution. Councilor Pastor Alcover, Jr. said residents in the city, both in upland and lowland barangays, use motorcycles-for-hire as a means of public transportation. “The Angkas… provide affordable rates, and are safer compared to the regular habal-habals as the passengers can readily identify the name of the driver, pickup and drop-off locations,” the councilor said. Meanwhile, Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña, said, “If they make a rule in Manila, we cannot defy that. But it’s not my priority to implement. I will not say I will not arrest them (Angkas drivers), I’m just saying it’s not my priority.” —