Survey sought on number of people going to the SRP

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has requested the Cebu City Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board  to conduct a “road monitoring capacity survey” on the volume of commuters going to SM Seaside City at the South Road Properties.

This was after Councilor Jerry Guardo expressed concern for the safety of commuters who had to settle for habal-habals (motorcycles-for-hire) in going to the SRP due to lack of public transport.

Motorcycles are not approved to serve as means of public conveyance and habal-habals are therefore unlicensed and not permitted to transport passengers. Yet they thrive especially in the Mambaling area as workers and those going to the SRP had no other recourse but to patronize them.

Last week, the City Council requested for CCTO and LTFRB-7 to conduct the survey for the possibility of opening a new public transport franchise for an SRP route.

“It has come to our knowledge and observation the influx of passengers going to SM Seaside City and also to other locators point of destination within the SRP area, thus these commuters have to settle riding…(the) “Habal-Habal” that are not licensed nor permitted to ferry passengers,” read Guardo’s resolution.

In a telephone interview, he told The FREEMAN that his request is an initial step towards addressing this concern, especially that it also involves the safety of the public.

He expressed hope that both CCTO and LTFRB would respond to his request as soon as possible.

In a separate interview, CCTO acting chief Rafael Yap said he will study the request first once it reaches his office

“We will study first the concern. The request for a “road monitoring capacity survey for volume of commuters” is quite specific. We need to understand why that particular methodology ang gi-request para we can respond better,” he said.

He acknowledged that habal-habals are illegal means of public transport.

“Tolerance lang ang sa amoa,” he said.

A copy of the approved resolution was furnished to the office of the city mayor, LTFRB and CCTO for their information and guidance. (FREEMAN)