LTO, DOTr stand sought on habal-habal regulation

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council wants the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation to take a stand on the proposed ordinance giving the city government the authority to regulate motorcycles-for-hire locally known as habal-habal.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, chairman of the committee on laws, ordinances and styling, said the recommendations of the two agencies are needed to ensure that the proposed ordinance will not contravene any national law.

"This committee, how-ever, recognizes that the implementation of the traffic code and the countless circulars of the concerned department is a nuanced practice, hence, the issue on whether or not motorcycles are allowed as passenger vehicles by national law should appropriately be addressed by the Land Transportation Office or the Department of Transportation and Communication," Garcia's committee reported.

City Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. has proposed granting the city government the authority to issue franchises to habal-habal drivers to regulate its operation in the city streets.

Alcover said there is a compelling need for the city government to intervene in the blatant operation of habal-habal as public transportation in many areas in the city. He said the regulation would ensure the safety and protection of the riding public.

Garcia, in the report, said the ordinances must not exceed any national law. The council has scheduled a public hearing for November 29, inviting all involved stakeholders to attend to hear their sentiments on the proposed ordinance.

In a separate committee report, Councilor Joel Garga-nera also doubts the legality of the regulation of habal-habal in the city. Garganera sits as the council's chairman on committee on environment, energy, transportation, communication and other utilities.

If the proposed measure will not supersede any national law, Garganera said Alcover should consider the revision of some provisions.

One of the recommen-dations of Garganera is to put a boundary wherein habal-habal drivers are allowed to traverse. —/FPL (FREEMAN)