House bill seeks to legalize ‘habal-habal’

The days of owners of the uniquely Filipino public transport “habal-habal”—or modified motorcycle—running from authorities may soon be over, if one lawmaker has his way.

House Bill 2322, authored by Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal, seeks to legalize the operation of habal-habal, an indigenous means of transportation usually used in far-flung barangays where jeepneys and tricycles cannot stand the rough, steep terrain and narrow roads.

Should it be passed, the bill will amend the Local Government Code or Republic Act 7160.

Also called “skylab,” the habal-habal comes in two forms: one is motorcycle with an extended seat protruding over the back wheel that can accommodate up to four passengers, minus the driver.

The second, more complex form of the habal-habal can seat up to 13 persons, including their baggage. It has extensions consisting of wooden planks placed across the back seat of the motorcycle to form the seats for the passengers.

Both versions of the habal-habal are currently illegal.

Oaminal said the main objective of his proposed bill is to ensure the safety of the traveling public “while maintaining a functional yet low-cost means of transportation with minimal financial disruption.”

Oaminal added that the habal-habal is already accepted by the riding public but it remains an illegal means of transportation since it is not registered, thus making it difficult for passengers and operators who might get injured to seek damages.

“Passengers who are injured or even killed while riding the habal-habal cannot claim benefits because this industry is not covered by insurance. On the other hand, the drivers or operators of the habal-habal face harassment and mulcting from traffic enforcers,” Oaminal said.

Should it be passed, owners of habal-habals will be required to register their vehicles with the local government units where they reside, subject to the guidelines of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

They will also be required to obtain insurance coverage for third party liability prior to application of the franchise to operate their units. Additionally the measure provides that habal-habal drivers stick to a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour.

The habal-habal shall also be prohibited from operating along national highways. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News