HABAL-HABAL DRIVERS ORGANIZE TO MAKE THEIR SERVICES ‘PROFESSIONAL’
New King of the Road (Part 2 of 3 parts): In Metro Cebu, the Land Transportation Office registered 176,411 motorcycles in 2016, up from 159,574 in 2014, as easy terms allowed more people to buy motorbikes Drivers have learned that forming groups, such as
Some habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) drivers in Cebu City have organized themselves in a bid to professionalize their services, although they are aware that they are operating illegally.
Anthony Rosales, vice president of the group 2K15 Cebu Riders Association Inc., said they created their group in February 2015 by merging the groups SRP Motorjack Riders Association and Mambalinganon in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City. They now have 125 members.
He said the purpose of the group is to learn how to ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers as well as to instill discipline among the drivers.
The group also seeks to foster sportsmanship among its members, support all national and local government orders and activities, encourage the youth to participate in sport activities instead of illegal drugs and other vices, raise funds to finance activities and other related programs, and promote and undertake efforts for the protection, advancement and development of the members.
The 2K15 Cebu Riders Association Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with registration number CN201633097.
The group is also accredited with the Cebu City Government, through the Cebu City and Mountain Barangays Habal-Habal Drivers Association (Cemobahada).
Becoming a member
Before joining the group, Rosales said a driver must have his own motorcycle unit with two helmets, and must submit to them complete documents, including license, OR (Official Receipt) and CR (Certificate of Registration).
Once a driver becomes a member of the group, he will be asked to pay around P1,000, broken down as follows: P250 membership fee, P700 for two uniforms, and P40 for a Cemobahada sticker, which will be put on the motorcycle to show to passengers that they are registered.
The Cemobahada sticker, issued to 2K15 in October 2016, contains the Type O sign of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his political party Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.
The group’s funds, Rosales said, are used to pay for their expenses, including rent for a lot used as their parking area or “terminal” near the Mambaling flyover.
Per the group’s agreement with the lot owner, rent for the “terminal” is P20,000 a month; a maximum of 15 motorcycles are allowed to park at one time; and parking is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Other conditions: no smoking; maintain cleanliness; must not be noisy; and only two persons are allowed to stay overnight in the building.
The group also undertakes community projects, such as blood-letting and cleanliness drive.
The group’s funds are also used for emergency medical expenses in case of accidents involving a member.
Rosales said they only carry one passenger at a time.
The group charges P15 per head for a trip between their “terminal” and SM Seaside City Cebu. Passengers bound for downtown Cebu City, about 3 kilometers away, are often asked to pay P50.
Those who travel to Cebu I.T. Park have to pay P100, while those who wish to go to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Mactan Island will have to pay P300.
Drivers said most of their passengers are willing to pay their rates to be able to get to their destinations fast.
“Pun-an gani na nila ma’am (ang pliti) labi na kung di sila malate. (Passengers even give us extra, especially if they get to their destination on time),” he said.
Depending on a verbal agreement with a driver, a passenger can also pay a lower fee when going to distant areas like Danao City, about 50 kilometers north of Cebu City, and Carcar City, more than 40 kilometers south.
Matter of survival
Rosales said their motorcycles are registered with the Land Transportation Office ( LTO) as private vehicles.
He said they are aware that they are operating illegally but they have no choice but to continue their operation because they have no other source of income.
“Padayon lang gihapon ma’am. Mao ra gyud among panginabuhi. (We will continue to operate. This is our only livelihood),” he said.
“Mohangyo ta mi sa mga dagkong tawo dinhi sa Cebu City nga tabangan tawn mi sa among panginabuhi nga ma-legal ni among pag-habal-habal labi na sa tanang habal-habal dinhi sa Cebu City para makatabang mi sa among pamilya. (We ask the authorities in Cebu City to help us by legalizing our operations, especially here in Cebu City, so that we can help our families),” he added.