Approval of habalhabal measure fast-tracked

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar said, one of the sponsors of the bill that seeks to legalize habalhabal operations, said the proponents of the measure will work faster to have the bill approved on final reading before the Congress break next week.

Del Mar is among the sponsors of the proposed legislation. Others are Rep. Juliette Uy, Rep. Ramon Durano VI, Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr., Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Rep. Arthur Yap.

House Bill 8959 is a substitute bill that consolidated all five bills allowing and regulating the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles in the country. The second reading approval was made last January 30.

The substitute bill is called “An act allowing and regulating the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles amending for this purpose Republic Act No. 4136 otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code."

Del Mar said that they will work for the passage of the bill so that it will be approved before the Congress goes on a break next week.

“[We] will work to have it approved on third and final reading on the two last session days next week, before adjournment for the election period,” he said.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña welcomed yesterday the approval on second reading of House Bill 8959 even though the Department of the Transportation (DOTr) has yet to reveal its stand on the crucial measure.

Osmeña said that during the hearing of the Committee on Transportation earlier, DOTr was informed about this concern of the authors of the proposed bill.

“I personally appeared before the committee and they were supportive but we are running out of time. The congressmen are requesting for DOTr to allow the operation of habalhabal,” Osmeña told The FREEMAN.

In a separate interview, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera also welcomed the development that the bill is now one step close to its approval.

She is amenable of the regulation of habalhabal since it is an alternative mode of transportation for the public.

“It’s a point transportation service at a specified fare. Although the passenger is exposed to the external elements like dusts, pollution and sometimes rain,” Pesquera said.

Councilor Sisinio Andales said it is good that the measure is seeing progress.

“It is a welcome development for habalhabal drivers and for Mayor Tommy Osmeña, who vigorously and vehemently fought to legalize habalhabal in the entire country. The importance of convenience, practicability and accessibility has opened eyes of Congress to amend the existing law,” he said.

Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. is also amenable to the legalization of habalhabal as long as the motorcycle-hailing app Angkas is not covered by the bill.

He said the operation of Angkas should not be included since it is a business, it should not therefore be legalized.

“You can’t legalized Angkas. It’s only habalhabal because Angkas is purely business. Okay rako ana, nalipay ko ana kung ma-fast-track nila na, at least ang importante correct akong direction niadto even until now nga ang tumong gyud is to legalize habalhabal,” Alcover said. — KBQ, (FREEMAN)