The proliferation of habal-habals (motorcycle “taxis”), practically in all areas of Davao City, is a problem that refuses to go away. This, despite mounting complaints of legitimate taxi operators and drivers about unfair competition, and an increasing number of deaths and injuries caused by traffic accidents involving motorcycles as borne by police records.
It is partly because the habal-habal has served the transportation needs of locals who prefer the affordability of this form of public transport which can even take passengers where no taxis dare to tread (narrow alleys, out-of-the-way places). But more than that, it has in itself become a tourist attraction to domestic and foreign tourists who marvel at the resourcefulness of operators who carry additional passengers by way of wooden seat extensions on both sides of the vehicles (skylabs) in the countryside away from the reach of traffic enforcers.
“They are really more practical, especially when you have to travel roads that seem to have been forgotten by the government,” Alma Luna, a former employee of the University of the Philippines Mindanao in Bago Oshiro, Mintal said. While the road leading to UP-Mindanao today is certainly a better version than the one that existed years back which the first students of the State University called “abortion road” (self-explanatory), it is still quite a challenge to commuters.
Davao City provides an interesting study for those fascinated by motorcycle innovations. From the traditional motor vehicle with two wheels, innovative Dabawenyos have come up with several variations, including a three-wheeled device with a sidecar (referred to as the tricycle), the seat-lengthened four-wheeled types (along R. Castillo St.) with seats on both sides of the driver for up to eight paying passengers, and, of course, the ubiquitous habal-habal whose passenger rides right behind the driver.
“Excited nga akong makasakay ng habal-habal pagbalik ko sa Davao–tingnan ko kung hanggang saan ang tapang ko (I am excited to be back in Davao to ride the habal-habal and prove how brave I am to do so),” said Gelo, a Manileno who co-owns several beauty salons in Davao and other parts of Mindanao. The motorcycle taxis are, however, not exclusive to Davao and other parts of the Philippines. Some countries like Indonesia and Thailand have them too, albeit with different names and designs.
And, would you believe?—In London, they have taxi-bikes which are allowed to carry only one paying passenger who is charged 70 pounds per hour. That’s about P4,500. Now, stop laughing at the idea of motorcycle taxis.
The number of habal-habals pale in comparison to the number of traditional motorcycles which ply the city streets of Davao City.
Land Transportation Office 11 data show that motorcycles and tricycles (MC/TC) make up 60.06% of the total number of motor vehicles registered in the Davao region in 2009 totalling 257,931 units. This translates to about 154,903 MC/TC, 26,346 registered cars, 53,673 utility vehicles, 6,042 sports utility vehicles, 15,013 trucks and 706 buses.
These statistics are proof that motorcycles are the most preferred means of transportation in the city, primarily because of its affordability and the convenience of driving through the busiest streets of Davao even during heavy traffic or roads not otherwise serviced by other public transport..
Economics of owning a motorcycle
The “in” thing among women motorcycle riders nowadays is the Honda Wave which costs P52,900. The male population, however, prefer the more sporty Honda XRM 125 dual sports motorcycle priced at P61,600. There are still cheaper ones which can be had for a minimum down payment of P4,500.
Motorcycle dealers offer in-house financing subject to the approval of your application after a credit investigation. Jasmin of Emcor Matina says the CI is only a one-day affair. other private credit facilities provide loans for motorcycle purchase.
There are other motorcycle brands including Suzuki, Yamaha and the China-made Skygo. The common denominator for these motorcycles are the freebies—free registration, third-party Liability Insurance and a full-face helmet.
The increasing price of fuel is also a factor in the rise of motorcycle purchases in the city. A motorcycle pumped with P100 worth of gasoline can already take you to work and back for three days, compared to the at least P500 worth of fuel required to power an ordinary utility vehicle for the same period, and that’s even granting that it is used minimally.
The increase in motorcycle use may have resulted to savings for a lot of people, but it has also resulted to accidents and loss of lives for others. The number of motorcycle-related accidents in the city has unduly increased over the years, and this has become a cause of concern even for Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who has cautioned motorcycle drivers to follow transportation laws to avoid serious accidents. No day passes without television news reports on motorcycle accidents, be it Davao or elsewhere in the country.
Records show that motorcycles comprise at least 45% of the total number of registered vehicles in the whole country. This translates to an estimated three million registered motorcycles in the Philippines. Authorities are alarmed over the fact that 24% of the 11,425 accidents in 2005 and 35% of the total traffic accidents during the first two months of 2006 involved motorcycles.
Legal policy on motorcycle use
Control as to the regulation and licensing of motorcycles has devolved from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to the local governments and the Land Transportation Office. Despite the illegality of the trisiboats (powered with marine engines) and the habals, these motorcycle innovations are still a common site in subdivisions and far-flung areas of the city.
While other cities and provinces in the country have very loose policies when it comes to safety measures in the use of motorcycles, there is a different scenario in Davao City. Motorcycles in the city are highly regulated, thanks to Ordinance 0189 series of 2006 which was authored by the late councilor, lawyer Jesus Zozobrado, father of LTO 11 OIC regional director Jesus Joseph Zozobrado III.
The ordinance prohibits the operation of habal-habals, limits to only one passenger other than the driver per motorcycle, and requires the wearing of crash helmets by riders. It also prohibits children below seven years old from riding a motorcycle. While the four-year old ordinance is being implemented in the city, there is, however, a noticeable increase in the number of violators, especially when it comes to ferrying children below the required age as backriders.
But, compared to other areas like Bukidnon where motorcycles without plates numbers are allowed to ply its roads–or in General Santos City where helmets are not considered essential–there is in essence a stricter implementation of safety provisions when it comes to motorcycle use in Davao City. The same ordinance may have inspired Senator Bong Revilla to author Senate Bill 1863 which requires the use of standard helmets for all motorcycle drivers and passengers.
While air-conditioned taxicabs have a flagdown rate of P30, a motorcycle “taxi” can cost only as low as P10 minimum for an agreed distance. It is really the cheapest form of transportation for those who are in a hurry, those who live in subdivisions and those who have to travel on bad roads.
A habal-habal ride in Davao is relatively cheap and can give one a bit of thrill and the opportunity to literally ride with the wind.
