Tomas to defend habal-habal operations in committee hearing

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is attending a public hearing that the transportation committee of the House of Representatives called on Wednesday to discuss proposals to regulate the operation of motorcycles-for-hire and the use of bigger plates for motorcycles as a deterrence for the commission of crimes.

The invitation dated January 18, 2018 said that resource persons are encouraged to make a brief and concise presentation of their stand on the two issues.

Osmeña said he will represent the city in the public hearing to speak of the importance of habal-habal operations especially in the city’s mountain barangays.

“We cannot stop habal-habal (operations). If the national government wants to do it, fine, but I don’t want to do it (here in the city). We can control it (habal-habal) and we can make it work for the people,” said Osmena.

Osmeña said laws that do not serve the interest of the people should never be passed.

“The (proposed) law should serve the people not the people serving the law. If the law does not serve its purpose the law should be disregarded,” he said.

Osmeña said that Angkas operations is an example of a regulated habal-habal operation.

Under the Angkas program, drivers are allowed to earn if they comply with regulations which include the use of helmets to also ensure the safety of their passengers.

“We will make Angkas so well-liked by the public that they will not choose a driver who is not Angkas (accredited), as simple as that. So mag lisod jud sila, so join nalang (sa Angkas),” Osmena said during his noontime presscon.

“If we have a system like Angkas, there will be no standys on the eskinas because Angkas does not require terminals. You call them up and they will go to you and you know how much it’ll cost,” the mayor added.