CEBU, Philippines - City of Talisay Traffic Operations Development Authority (CT-TODA) head, Hiram Benatiro, is urging habal-habal operators to file a petition for the City Council to give them a franchise so they could standardize fares.
Benatiro met with habal-habal drivers from the Talisay Motor Riders Association (TMRA) yesterday to inform them of the city's traffic rules and regulations.
He reminded drivers that habal-habal is not legal but Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas prefers to regulate them instead since it was their way of living.
Benatiro stressed to all Talisay Motor Riders Association (TMRA) members that they need to secure their driver's license as well as their motorcycle's registration before traveling in the streets.
TMRA president Samuel Atupan has disclosed that of the association's 154 members, there are only around 40 who have driver's licenses.
Most members have expired licenses which they did not bother to renew while some did not even try to get a license yet or register their motorcycles at the Land Transportation Office.
According to Atupan, their members mistakenly believe that once they have registered as member of TMRA and have been given the standard TMRA t-shirt, they are okay to operate.
TMRA aims to become a recognized organization whose main goal is to legitimize habal-habal operations in Talisay.
Benatiro said that starting November 3, CT-TODA, LTO, and the Talisay police will be conducting an operation to apprehend habal-habal drivers without license and vehicle registration.
"Sila mihangyo nga inig liwas na sa kalag-kalag mi manakop kay sila ni angkon nga daghan sa drivers walay lisensya," Benatiro said.
Atupan said that he also wants this group of non-compliant drivers to be apprehended and disciplined, adding that he was also in favor of the move by the authorities to conduct random drug tests on their members.
Benatiro emphasized during the meeting that drivers should wear their helmets while on the road and that they should also provide helmets for their passengers.
He added that if passengers will refuse to wear helmets, drivers also have the right to refuse them a ride.
Benatiro said that the standard number of passengers on board a motorcycle is only two persons.
"Duha ra gyud, ikatulo ang driver," Benatiro stressed.
Only 24 habal-habal drivers attended the meeting, but Atupan assured that TMRA will disseminate the information to those drivers who were not able to attend. (FREEMAN)