Regulation in Talisay City

Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas is in favor of regulating habal-habal instead of abolishing it despite the several road accidents involving motorcycles-forhire in the city.

Gullas said the families of habal-habal drivers would be affected if this means of transportation is totally banned.

"Regulation, yes, abolition, no, kay panginabuhian man ni nila. Dili wagtangon, i-regulate lang kay panginabuhian man ni nila," Gullas said.

The most recent accident involving habal-habal in Talisay City resulted in the death of a 39-year-old woman Janet Eludo was run over by a cement mixer truck in Barangay Lawaan I Tuesday last week.

Eludo fell off on the road while riding habal-habal driven by Jury Mangay after he tried to overtake the cement mixer truck. It was found out that the habalhabal driver did not have a driver’s license. His motorcycle was not also registered.

But despite the numerous incidents already involving habal-habal, Gullas said it would not be prudent to ban it.

“Usa ka driver labing menos pito ang nagdepende ana,” he explained.

The mayor, however, said that habal-habal drivers should make sure that they would get a license and have their motorcycle registered with the Land Transportation Office.

Gullas said that minors should not also be allowed to drive habal-habal as he personally observed that most habal-habal drivers are minors.

He said that some drivers are also taking advantage of the passengers, especially during peak hours and when there is rain, by collecting exorbitant amount of fare.

He urged the City Council to come up with ways to regulate habal-habal, including concerns for fixed fare rates. If possible, drivers should create an association where they can police their members.—

Algabre/FPL

Iris Mariani B.