The Tagbilran City Sangguiniang Panlungsod (SP) is planning to legalize the operations of motorcycles-for-hire, popularly known as habal-habal, a city councilor said.

Councilor Philip Besas told DYRD Balita that an ordinance which will establish the habal-habal as a legitimate industry with its own regulations is being readied and set to be passed soon.

The city legislator explained that the legalization of the habal-habal would entail the registration of an operator’s unit and the wearing of IDs and color-coded uniforms for drivers.

The measure is intended to make it easier for law enforcers to track down lawbreaking drivers or operators, making the mode of transportation safer for passengers.

Besas noted that there had been cases of erring drivers not taking passengers, particularly women, to the agreed upon destination as a set up for graver crimes such as rape and robbery.

The SP is also planning to set up a terminal for commuter motorcycles to prevent drivers from picking up passengers at any point in the city which causes congestion.

Current setup for public vehicles has been tagged as among chief causes of traffic in the city, particularly in often clogged areas such as outside the Shopper’s Mart and City Square.

However, Besas admitted that the SP’s committee on public utilities, franchise and transportation which he chairs is still refining the proposal particularly its regulatory aspect.

The habal-habal has been considered as a cheaper transportation alternative for commuters in the city and one that takes passengers through roads inaccessible even by tricycles. (Allen Doydora) 

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