Habal-habal IDs signed by Osmeña questioned
An opposition-allied Cebu City councilor has questioned the move of the executive department in regulating motorcycle-for-hire or habal-habal operations in the city.
Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. said there is a need for the city to enact an ordinance supporting the city’s regulation of the habal-habal operations.
“While they declare habal-habal as illegal, nagorganize sila og Cemobahada (Cebu City and Mountain Barangays Habal-Habal Drivers Association),” he told reporters.
To recall, Mayor Tomas Osmeña issued an executive order last year to establish the two-wheeled motorized vehicle monitoring, coordination, and Assistance Unit (TWV-MCAU), a monitoring body tasked to oversee the operations of habal-habal in the city.
Both Cemobahada and TWV-MCAU are under the Office of the Mayor.
Alcover said he received reports that the Cemobahada and TWVMCAU are regulating the habal-habal drivers by selling identification cards signed by the mayor, and stickers for P200 and P60 each, respectively.
“They’re making business out of the illegal operation because they are using the city’s seal ug dunay pirma sa mayor. Dili dakpon sa CITOM kon dunay pud sticker. Ang pangutana, dili bana dereliction of duty kay wala gi-implement ang balaod?” Alcover said.
CCTO Operations Chief Francisco Ouano was unavailable for comment as of press time.
ANGKAS
On the other hand, Alcover also questioned the support given by the city government to Angkas, an online motorcycle ride app that transport officials have declared illegal.
Osmeña, for several instances in the past, has been vocal about his position to support Angkas.
The mayor said it helps ease the city’s traffic since the riders don’t need terminals, and it reduces accidents since the identity of the driver is known and there are fixed prices on the rides.
Osmeña earlier said his stand is not necessarily for Angkas, but for the people who benefit from Angkas.
At present, the City Council is still reviewing the proposal of Angkas to systematize the operations of motorcycle-for-hire.
But Alcover’s proposed measure seeking to regulate the operations of habalhabal was rejected by the City Council’s committee on laws, ordinances, and styling.
According to the committee chaired by Councilor Sisinio Andales, there is no national law that will support the regulation of the habal-habal operation.
“Unless and until a national law be enacted regulating motorcycle-forhire or habal-habal, this committee is constrained to opine that the proposed ordinance is beyond the power of this Sanggunian to enact,” read a portion of the committee report.
The committee also cited Section 7 of Republic Act 4136 which prohibits motorcycles, among others, to be used to transport passengers or freight for pay.
Determined to regulate the habal-habal that has been operating for over 20 years, Alcover said he will submit again his proposal, citing the general welfare clause of the Local Government Code as basis for its passage.
“Akong i-duso og balik. Ang una is naa’y general welfare clause which is supposedly the supreme law. Dunay jurisprudence ani nga ang korte mipabor sa LGU nga mi-regulate sa trisikad sauna,” he said.
The city government has been “tolerating” the operations of habal-habal, Alcover said, it might as well regulate the drivers.
He said the city can impose annual registration, fare matrix, and seminars and trainings, among others.
“The city is tolerating the illegal operations of Angkas which is akin to habal-habal. It’s high time for the city to regulate the habal-habal drivers,” he said.