'Habal-habal' drivers in crosshairs yet again

Talisay City Vice Mayor Aberdovey Belleza has warned the city would go after motorcycle-for-hire or "habal-habal" drivers if they continue to ignore rules and regulations.

Belleza, who is chairman of the Traffic Commission, told some 100 drivers in a meeting last Monday to keep on wearing helmets and shoes and display the identification cards the city had issued to them otherwise they would be apprehended. There are more than 400 legitimate drivers going around in the barangays.

"Naa nay agreement before for them to wear ID, but if they refuse to follow it mapugos ang syudad sa pagdakop nila kay in the first place illegal mana ilang operation, gi-regulate lang nato," Belleza explained, while adding that these drivers should also wear helmets and shoes.

The wearing of ID cards was enforced following the series of robberies pulled off by men on motorcycles.

Erring drivers would be issued a Temporary Operator's Permit and would be fined, Belleza said.

Drivers have been discouraged from parking under the fly-over in barangay Tabunok, which is one of the congested areas in the city. A terminal in front of San Jose Parish in the barangay has been designated as the loading and unloading station for "habal-habal."

The City Council last year approved an ordinance legalizing the operation of the "habal-habal," however, the Provincial Board rejected it since there is an existing national law which prohibits such means of public conveyance. - Liv G. Campo