Transport advocates have called on the government to lift limits on the number of motorcycle taxis (MTs) plying the roads to provide commuters with a convenient transportation alternative.
This was contained in separate statements, CitizenWatch Philippines, Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3), and The Passenger Forum.
Kit Belmonte, former Quezon City representative and now CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor said the shortage of transportation options has “resulted in the proliferation of illegal habal-habals, which are being patronized by desperate commuters.”
“Because they are unregulated, the drivers of habal-habal do not have proper training and they do not have accident insurance,” Belmonte said.
He said removing the limits would encourage MT companies to hire these habal-habal.
Belmonte said other governments do not impose limits on the number of MTs that can operate in their countries as this motivates more players to participate and ensures competition that leads to the better delivery of services for commuters.
Primo Morillo, convener of The Passenger Forum, said the Philippine Competition Commission has recommended the removal of the cap.
Estimates pegged the number of habal habal at 200,000 in Metro Manila in 2020. The proliferation of this mode of transportation has compeled local government units like Cebu City to create an office to regulate their operations.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board recently urged habal-habal operators, particularly in provinces, to join its pilot study for MTs so they can be regulated and trained on proper operations so they can “operate safely and securely, which will ultimately benefit the riding public.”
