Habal-habal drivers as first-aiders mulled

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Pastor Alcover is pushing for the habal-habal drivers to undergo first-aid training and to be accredited first-aiders following several road accidents in the city.

Alcover said it has long been his plan to come up with programs in order to help the sector of habal-habal drivers.  According to him, this particular program is motivated by a series of road accidents happening in the city.

“Diba daghan kaayog disgrasya, and then kung daghan kaayong disgrasya, usually makalabay sa mga disgrasya kini gyung mga habal-habal, kay sige baya na silang gabyahe, og di sila ang ma disgrasya, sila ang makakita sa disgrasya,” said Alcover.

“Ang problema lang kay dili man na sila ka rescue kay di man sila trained,” he added.

With the first-aid training, Alcover said, habal-habal drivers could be able to respond while waiting for ambulance to arrive at the scene. Alcover added that their accreditation as first-aiders would boost their contribution to the community.

Currently, there is an existing motor-taxi cooperative. The cooperative will be tapping the help of the city to conduct the first-aid training.

Apart from the first-aid training, Alcover also plans to organize a hygiene seminar for the habal-habal drivers, organize a motorcycle firefighter using fire extinguishers, train habal-habal drivers to be a member of police auxiliary force to help fight against crime, and moral values formation, among others.

“Gahapon (Saturday) pa nato ni gi announce during our habal-habal summit…pero I’ve been receiving good feedback already and ang ubang mga leader sa mga habal-habal interesado, kay part man na sa among adbokasiya,” said Alcover.

To further advance his plans, Alcover said he is going to sponsor an ordinance that aims to establish a motorcycle ambulance. This would enable a faster response during accidents.

“Kinahanglan duna jud tay mga ambulansya, nga mu motor na duna nay kompleto na daan sa mga first aid at least kung naa nay mga emergency maka lusot-lusot dayon ang atong mga motor,” said Alcover. (CEBU NEWS)