The ordinance that will legalize the operation of ‘habal-habal’ or motorcycle taxis in Davao City is expected to be approved on third and final reading this coming Tuesday.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang said that the proposed ordinance, which was approved during the second reading last Tuesday, was introduced by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“The one who mentioned it was Mayor Sara because if you remember during the pandemic daghan mga areas diri nga wala’y sakyanan. Tapos inspite sa pandemic ginadakop gihapon sila. So we want to legalize their operations and to be regulated,” Dayanghirang said in an phone interview.
Also known as “The Habal-Habal Ordinance of 2021”, also aims to secure the safety of passengers, especially children, by regulating the operation of motorcycle taxis along roads.
Among regulated acts mentioned in the ordinance is no person shall operate and drive a “habal-habal” or motorcycle taxi within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City unless drivers/operators are holding current LTO registration and O.R of the “habal-habal” unit, current driver’s license of the driver, and the payment of annual license fee to the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) in the amount of P500.
It is also stated in the ordinance that no “habal-habal” drivers shall be allowed to carry more than two passengers at a time.
The drivers/operators of the motorcycle taxi is required to provide protective motor helmets for riders and passengers prescribed under Section 3 of the Republic Act (RA) 10054 or an act mandating all motorcycle riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving.
The ordinance also recommended for a color coded helmet depending on the route which will be determined by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO).
