CEBU SOLONS TO PUSH ANGKAS

Osmeña says Del Mar, Abellanosa to file bills to legalize Angkas, habal2x

Hope for motorcycle-hailing firm Angkas springs eternal in Cebu City.

In a Facebook post dated Dec. 21, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he has discussed the plight of Angkas with Cebu City Representatives Raul del Mar and Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa.

“I have spoken to Raul and Bebot, and the two congressmen of BOPK (Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan) will move to fully legalize Angkas. Just because something is illegal doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Slavery was once legal and the aiding of escaped slaves was once illegal. The law is not perfect, which is why it is subject to change,” wrote Osmeña.

“It is wrong for ordinary hardworking people to be turned into criminals. If Angkas and other ride-sharing services are illegal, then they should be made legal. The law should adjust to people’s needs. The law is designed to serve the people. The people obey, but do not serve, the law,” Osmeña added.

The mayor also wrote on the comment section of the same post del Mar’s statement on the matter.

“I have long filed House Bill 6909 regulating motorcycles-for-hire known as habal-habal or Angkas, thereby authorizing cities and municipalities to grant franchises for their operations, amending Republic Act 7160 known as the Local Government and Republic Act 4136 known as The Land Transportation Code,” del Mar said.

The bill, filed in 2017, is now pending consolidation before the technical working group of the committee on transportation.

Abellanosa, for his part, said he was one of the authors of the proposed measure.

“I remember Mayor Tommy Osmeña was the most eloquent and emphatic at the public hearing conducted in Congress on this legislative measure. I am sure that the dire transportation situation right now affecting the riding public as well as the Angkas and habal-habal drivers will shake the House leadership. The first order of the day when session of Congress resumes in January is to prod the House leadership to pass the bill on the legalization of the motorcycles-for-hire,” he said.

The Supreme Court last Dec. 12, issued a temporary restraining order against a Mandaluyong court ruling that barred authorities from intervening in the motorcycle ride-hailing firm’s operations, indicating that Angkas drivers may now be apprehended.