Legalize the habal-habal

There is some good news for those advocating for the legalization of “habal-habals”. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has issued an executive order establishing the Cebu City Habal-Habal Drivers' Coordinating Office (CCHCO). It is reportedly aimed at formalizing and regulating habal-habal transportation in the city.

Also in a recent report by The FREEMAN, legalizing habal-habal operations in the country has gained the support of the regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Central Visayas. LTFRB-7 regional director Eduardo Montealto Jr. believes that habal-habal operations should be regulated but this can only be done if the government will recognize motorcycle taxis as an alternative mode of public transportation.

I am also for the legalization of habal-habals. To me, talks surrounding its legalization shows an interplay between two modes of thought, as outlined by Mike Walsh in his book 'The Algorithmic Leader'. These are first-principles thinking and thinking by analogy.

According to Walsh, first-principles thinking involves breaking down complex problems to their fundamental truths or basic principles and then reasoning up from these foundational insights. On the other hand, thinking by analogy is often about taking what is already known or existing, and applying it to new contexts or situations. In the case of habal-habals, we can see both these modes of thought at play.

Those who are against the operation of habal-habals are largely drawing upon thinking by analogy. They see motorcycles primarily as personal vehicles, not designed for public transportation, comparing them with jeepneys, buses, and metro rail transits. They focus on the potential safety risks of motorcycles, citing accident rates, compared to more conventional forms of transport. Critics also raise concerns about motorcycle-based public transportation as a source of traffic problems, citing the many incidents of reckless driving.

But a first-principles thinker would ask, "What are the fundamental truths of public transportation, and how does the habal-habal fit within these truths?"

In the Philippines, where many people face challenges accessing remote areas unserved by regular public transport, and struggle with traffic issues daily, the fundamental truth is that alternative transport like habal-habals are crucial. They provide access to essential services, markets, hospitals, schools, and workplaces for many. The practice of hiring a habal-habal on a "pakyaw" or private basis for a negotiated fee is also common.

You can’t force people to follow first world standards of safety when the reality on the ground is that conventional public transportation is not accessible. And this has been the reality for decades. In mountain barangays and other remote places in the country, habal-habals are the only readily available means of transport due to the challenging terrain, thus fulfilling a basic need. Jeepneys or multicabs are often impractical for narrow, muddy, hilly terrain, or simply the low demand does not justify their operation.

With their co-called ‘terminals’ typically located in each municipality's capital barangay and along national highways, the habal-habals have become essential. People in these areas would agree that the habal-habal symbolizes a form of resilience, reflecting the Filipino’s capacity to innovate and adapt to challenging circumstances. Such is the fundamental truth, and we just need the formal policies in place governing the operation of habal-habals in order to ensure passenger safety.

Another argument in favor of the habal-habal is that public transportation should be affordable, and the habal-habal falls within said requirement considering that it is less expensive to operate and maintain than larger vehicles. With its ability to traverse narrow roads and bypass traffic, the habal-habal is also often a preferred mode of transport for many people, especially when in a hurry.

From a first-principles perspective, the habal-habal is a legitimate and practical mode of public transport. Based on first-principles thinking, those safety concerns about habal-habals can be addressed via effective regulations. Accessibility, affordability, and efficiency --these are the fundamental requirements of public transportation.

Instead of banning an already prevalent and crucial mode of transport, we should focus on improving it to serve its purpose better. With regulation, instead of a ban, we can formulate policies and guidelines that emphasize safety education.

One might say that habal-habals are in reality not banned and their presence is just often overlooked due to the lack of other public transportation options. I think that is not enough. Habal-habals must be recognized as form of public transportation, with regulation and formal policies in place for the welfare and safety of both drivers and passengers.