Habalhabal drivers eyed as peacekeepers

The Cebu City government is organizing the habalhabal drivers to tap them in the maintenance of peace and order.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has tasked Councilor Franklyn Ong, president of the Association of Barangay Councils, to do the organizing as he has started it in Barangay Kasambagan.

Ong said he already started meeting with the habalhabal drivers from Barangays Lahug, Banilad, Apas, and Mabolo. He said they will be part of the Twowheeled Motorized Vehicle Monitoring Coordination and Assistance Unit (TMVMCAU).

“Once we have organized habalhabal associations in our barangays, we can also maximize and take advantage of the cooperation,” he said.

“We can also use them for mga barangay intelligence network (BIN), we can use them for a disaster, naa ta’y ubang member sa habalhabal nga akong gihangyo nga moassist sa traffic during peak hours especially karon nga naa’y construction sa Juan Luna Avenue,” he added.

The mayor has been very supportive of the habalhabal operations in the city despite it being illegal. Osmeña said the habalhabal drivers can help in intelligence gathering considering that crime is everywhere.

The mayor was prompted to start the initiative after call center agent Loraine Temple was shot dead after fighting off robbers in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City few weeks ago. Osmeña believes that motorcycle drivers are effective in the implementation of neighborhood watch saying they know the area very well.

“Because they already have motorcycles and know the area well, habalhabal drivers would be especially effective and will be supported with fuel,” Osmeña posted on his Facebook page.

Some political pundits, however, believe that it is just another political ploy considering that it is just few months away from the midterm elections.

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the committee on public order and safety, is in favor of the initiative.

“For me mas maayo na siya to safeguard our commuters, ang importante diha ang driver naa’y proper identification with the pagabag sa barangay captains. Makaself-regulate ang mga barangay, security man gyud ang bottom line diha,” he said.