Cebu City creates body tasked to regulate motorcycle taxis
CEBU CITY — Mayor Michael Rama has created a special body tasked to supervise and regulate motorcycle taxis, locally known as “habal-habal,” which continue to thrive as a means to avoid traffic congestion here.
The mayor ordered the creation of the Cebu City Habal-habal Drivers’ Coordinating Office (CCHCO) through Executive Order (EO) No. 8 Series of 2023.
“The CCHCO is created to accommodate the need and ensure the safety of the commuting public by regulating the services offered by habal-habal drivers,” he said in the EO signed on May 23 but was released to reporters only on Monday, May 29.
According to Rama, the CCHCO was created to ensure the safety of commuters who prefer to avail of the services of motorcycles for hire as well as to regulate the services offered by drivers of this mode of transportation.
“The City of Cebu recognizes the plight and concerns of the commuting public by coordinating with the carriers operating within its territorial jurisdiction,” he said.
The CCHCO, he said, will coordinate with the Cebu City Traffic Office in the designation of routes and terminals for motorcycle taxis.
Based on the EO, habal-habal drivers refer to residents and registered voters of Cebu City who hold a driver’s license issued by the Land Transportation Office with registered motor vehicles.
Rama said the CCHCO must create a database of all habal-habal drivers in the city and conduct awareness seminars and information campaigns relating to road safety and the rights and obligations of motorcycle-for-hire drivers.
The body should also build linkages with various habal-habal drivers’ associations and facilitate and aid barangay and/or grassroots habal-habal associations.
The CCHCO will be composed of an executive director who will take charge of the daily operations of the office, an administrative officer who will take charge of the consolidation of data relating to accredited habal-habal drivers in the city, and an administrative assistant who will assist the administrative officer.
Rama said the CCHCO will have a maximum of five employees unless there is a need to augment them.
“The CCHCO is created to accommodate the need and ensure the safety of the commuting public by regulating the services offered by habal-habal drivers,” he said.
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