What to do with motorcycles-for-hire

Those people in the SC have never seen the need to hop on one of those motorcycles-for-hire or they wouldn’t have been so quick to condemn the practice

I’m really torn when it comes to this issue regarding motorcycles-for-hire. For one thing, I’m a stickler for the rules, which is probably why I suffer from hypertension since my blood pressure always goes through the roof whenever I see people break the law. And let’s face it, here in our neck of the woods that happens like, every second.

So yes. It pains me to see motorcycle drivers in Angkas helmets and Angkas uniforms continue to ply their trade despite the stern warning from authorities that they would be apprehended for breaking the law.

You see, earlier this month, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a Mandaluyong court order giving the operation of the motorcycle ride-sharing app the go-ahead.

Apparently, those people in the SC have never seen the need to hop on one of those motorcycles-for-hire or they wouldn’t have been so quick to condemn the practice. They would have opted for the status quo while they looked for a win-win solution, one that would not alienate and strand the masses who rely on this mode of transportation to get to wherever they need to go.

But the law is the law. I know that, and I understand. That’s why I am glad that Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced that he would ask the City Council to grant him the authority to file a case appealing to the SC to reconsider.

I know. To those who have lost their means of livelihood it’s not much because, come to think of it, as long as the SC’s TRO stands, they’re fair game to the authorities. But hey, it’s a start.

Anyway, the mayor also said he already spoke to BOPK Congressmen Raul del Mar and Bebot Abellanosa. He said they would move to fully legalize Angkas, which would be a step in the right direction.

Wasn’t it Land Transportation Office 7 Director Victor Caindec who had said that the law that bans the operation of motorcycles as public transportation would have to be amended in Congress for them to stop apprehending motorcycle-for-hire drivers? Or something along that line?

So there you go.

By the way, in case you’re interested, the mayor’s Facebook post addressing the matter already had 30,000 likes, 4,874 shares and 1,600 comments, as of 1:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22.

I left a comment telling the mayor that I support his move 110 percent because, come on, he’s going about it in the right way. He is going through the proper channels to try and help the plight of affected drivers and commuters.

And while I was scrolling down the other comments, I saw one from my younger brother. And in typical fashion, he ranted about the insensitivity of the powers that be: “These people have no clue and choose not (to) listen.” And by “they,” I guess he meant, you know.

In the meantime, while the rest of the riding public wait for the outcome of the mayor’s appeal with bated breath, maybe, and just maybe, the authorities could look the other way while habal-habal drivers go about their daily business.

After all, this was never about the habal-habal drivers who have been serving the needs of a lot of people for decades. Am I correct?

This was all about Angkas, that motorcycle ride-sharing app.