Habalhabal drivers get one sack of rice

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 1,470 habalhabal drivers yesterday trooped to the Plaza Independencia to claim their one sack of rice each from the Cebu City government.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña and Association of Barangay Councils President Franklyn Ong, who also sits as ex-officio member of the City Council, graced the distribution.

“Ang gihatag sa Cebu City Government usa ra ka pamaagi nga mopasalamat ninyong tanan kay kahibaw mi nakalisod mo sa panginabuhi, unta makatabang bisag gamay ra,” she told the habalhabal drivers who are queuing to get their share.

Osmeña said the distribution of a temporary form of assistance to the habalhabal drivers is not the end to extend further assistance to the drivers especially the city will push for the legalization of its operation.

She said some people might say that the move of the city government is political, stressing that politics is not all about bad politics.

“If it’s politics, so be it. Politics is not necessarily bad. It can be good. It’s how you do it,” she said, adding that the mayor, Tomas Osmeña, is being consistent on his stand to move for the legalization of the operations of habalhabal drivers.

As of now, Osmeña admitted that the operations of habalhabal are illegal which can be corrected by amending the law which is now being done by the lawmakers.

The long term solution of the city government is to ensure that the habalhabal drivers are no longer afraid to ply along the thoroughfares of the city because the operation would be legalized, she added.

Assistant Administrator Annabeth Cuizon said the city has budgeted P15 million for the purchase of 6,000 sacks of rice.

The habalhabal drivers are asked to submit an accomplished profile sheet; Commission on Elections Identification Card; proof of possession that they own the motorcycle; certification that the driver is indigent; and membership from any habalhabal association in order to get the sack of rice.

Cuizon said the other drivers who failed to claim their rice yesterday can still get their share once they complete the requirements within 15 days at the Cebu City Hall.

Each Royal Jasmine rice costs P2,400.

Teody Mancera, 29, a resident of Barangay Basak Pardo, expressed gratitude to the city government for this assistance.

“Dako na kaayo ning tabang sa amoa kay gamay nalang palitonon sa balay. Dakong konsomo raba ning bugas. Dismayado kaayo mi pag-issue sa Supreme Court kay wala mi laing panginabuhian,” he told The Freeman.

Mancera said he is hoping that lawmakers will continue to push for the legalization of their operations, saying they are doing this livelihood for their families.

He has been working with Angkas for over a year now. — GAN (FREEMAN)