‘City Council has no power to regulate habal-habal drivers’

The City Government cannot regulate the operation of motorcycle taxis (habal-habal) in the city unless there is a national law regulating it, the Cebu City Council’s committee on laws said.

In a committee report, the committee on laws chaired by Councilor Sisinio Andales said regulating the operation of habal-habal is beyond the Council’s power.

“This committee sees the need to regulate motorcycle-for-hire or habal-habal considering the same is not part of the daily commute of Cebu City constituents. However, utilization of habal-habal as conveyances for hire is prohibited as the operation of such is considered unsafe, and not allowed and regulated by national law,” the report read.

Andales, a lawyer, said that even if local government units have the power to regulate the operation of conveyances for hire, the power does not extend to motorcycles as there is no national law that allow and regulates the operation.

Earlier, Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. lobbied for the passage of an ordinance that would regulate the operation of habal-habal operations in city.

In his proposed ordinance, Alcover said there is a need to regulate the operation of habal-habal and professionalize the service of drivers to ensure the passengers’ safety.

He proposed an annual registration fee of P250 to P500.

Operators will also have to register in the barangay where they operate.

Prior to registration, the driver will have to undergo riding skills training and join a seminar on traffic rules and regulations.

Drivers will be fined P500 to P2,000 for violating traffic rules.