Tomas grants amnesty to counterf lowing bikers
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has granted an amnesty to at least 2,500 motorcycle owners who were caught violating the anti counter flowing policy of the city government.
The mayor ordered the immediate release of the impounded motorcycles to allegedly lessen the impact of the recent Supreme Court ruling that prohibits Angkas operation nationwide.
Osmeña earlier said the court decision is detrimental to most residents of Cebu City, especially those living in the mountain barangays where there are no other means of public transportation.
“Para maminos ang impact, you can tell everybody that all the impounded motorcycles now in South Road Properties (SRP) will be released,” Osmeña said.
“Wala’y multa pero ato ning klarohon atong ipadayon ang counterflow, this is just a spot amnesty. Okay ra, pero dili mahunong ang arrest,” Osmeña added.
The city government started implementing Executive Order 34 or the anti-counterflowing policy in February. Under the policy, vehicles caught violating it will be impounded for one month on top of the fines.
The policy aims to impose total discipline among the drivers and minimize vehicular accidents. The EO provides that all forms of reckless driving specifically “driving left” or commonly known as driving counter flow is prohibited.
In a separate interview, Cebu City Transportation Office operations chief Francisco Ouano told The FREEMAN that he immediately started releasing the impounded motorcycles pursuant to the mayor’s order.
He said the confiscated motorcycles are in good condition or still serviceable since it is stored in a covered area at the Bigfoot Studio.
“Depende na sa mga tawo nga moari. In fact, mao to giingon ni mayor nga iyahang ipa-release ang na-impound yesterday (Thursday) ug katong sa previous,” Ouano said.
Ouano, however, clarified that the amnesty only covers motorcycles. Since February, CCTO has already impounded 6,000 to 8,000 vehicles, motorcycles and Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs).
Opposition Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. taunted Osmeña for his action.
“I thought he is a visionary mayor, reactionary man diay ni siya. Luoy ang mga Angkas drivers nga dakponon kay nakagasto na. Angkas is business, that’s why I opposed it. Instead of helping habalhabal, ila hinoon gipahimudsan, karon react nalang siya. That’s a palliative solution,” he told The FREEMAN.
Alcover added that Osmeña is “fooling” the people of the city by introducing Angkas as among the solution to transportation problem.
He said that releasing the impounded motorcycles is an early political move of the mayor for 2019 elections.
“Apektahan gyud (riding public). Pero nailad man gud niya ang publiko by presenting Angkas as the solution. Ang iya untang gihimo is to support my ordinance regulating habalhabal operation, sulbad tanan including Angkas unta,” Alcover said.
The committee on laws, ordinances, and styling of the City Council earlier rejected Alcover’s proposed ordinance seeking to regulate the habalhabal operation.