DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

REGION XII

DIVISION OF SULTAN KUDARAT

Telafas National High School

Telafas, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat

LIFE JOURNEY: A Lived Experience Of

Habal-Habal Driver

A course requirements in Qualification Research submitted to ERIC JOHN E.

VEGAFRIA, Teacher II, SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, TELAFAS NATIONAL HIGH

SCHOOL, TELAFAS, COLUMBIO, SULTAN KUDARAT.

CHAPTER I
1. INTRODUCTION

The Columbio is a home of renowned wonders like underground rivers,

falls, ridges, mountain peaks, and unique public transportation like habal-habal.

Habal-habal is a local dialect for motorcycle for hire which means sitting close to

each other, passenger who usually range from two to three person, sit behind the

driver, close to each other.

Some of area in Columbio are linked by asphalt or concrete roads, but

some of those were never finished or in progress, full of mud and slippery,

especially during the rainy season. The one of fastest way for public

transportation is habal-habal or Skylab. Various goods, ranging from sacks with

rice, vegetables, carton stacked with groceries, even crate with chickens and tied

up goats, are strapped on to the most unlikely places.

Those who utilize motorcycle as their way of earning what we called habal

habal driver. Pandemic crisis made living and work for people harder than before

as it greatly impacted the normal ways. Finding a job amidst of pandemic

became one more evident problem encountered these days. Just like the

situation of habal habal driver, ways on having greater service to provide has

changed, and drivers found also crisis in their job due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Informal transport is a common scene, this informal public transport

becomes popular because of accessibility, faster and flexibility. The implication of

study is to describe the lived experience of habal habal driver were discussed.

Habal-habal or motorcycle has trend in the last five years. The number of

motorcycle users increase continuously as if thereto was no danger in using.

However, as the number of motorcycle users that has been involved in accidents

is also increases. A theory entitled “Prospect Theory” by Daniel Koheman and

Amas Tuersky (1979), states that people value gains differently from losses and,

as such, will base decisions on perceived gains rather than perceived losses.

In regard to his study, the motorcycle users who had been experience

motorcycle accident choose to use on ride again a motorcycle or habal-habal

because of the advantages they got in using it. They blindly ignoring the risk on

the gains and advantages in using habal-habal because of escalating

transportation fare and cost of living expenses of every family rapidly increasing.

3. THE STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The main purpose of this study was to determine the needed skills and

knowledge through the lived experiences of the habal habal driver including their

role play and why they are pursuing to have this occupation. The sought to find the

answer to the following problem:

1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the habal habal drivers in terms of

age, gender, educational attainment?

2. Why do these drivers prefer to choose the occupation?

 3. What are the challenges and fulfilment encountered by the habal-habal

drivers?

4. SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

For the habal-habal driver

This study shows the present situation of lived experience of habal-habal

driver, attributed to inadequacy of one of the unique public transport in Columbio,

Sultan Kudarat and the most means practical transport.

For the next researcher/s

This research will provide data about the lived experience of habal habal

driver, and it can be beneficial data for their research. It will also give reference

for them more on this topic and to study furthermore.

5. SCOPE AND DILIMITATION OF STUDY

This study will focus on habal-habal driver, specifically at Columbio, Sultan

Kudarat who have participants with complete documents, updated registration of

unit and have a driver’s license. The dependent variables of the respondent’s

indicate the lived experience of habal-habal driver.

6. DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. Lived and Experiences- Personal knowledge about the world gained through

direct, involvement in events rather through representation constructed by other

people.

B. Habal-habal drivers- Drivers on a motorcycle used as a passenger-type

motor vehicle that is modified to seat one or more than two person.
 CHAPTER II

1. REVIEW OF RELATED LITIRATURE

Habal-Habal are the second most popular means of transportation here in the

Philippines. Based on the statistics from the year 2013, the number of registered

Habal-Habal in the Philippines is 3.58 million. These vehicles have been around for

quite some time that banning them is really impossible. These trikes can be found

everywhere in the country except on major or main roads. (Huerta, 2015) The Habal-

Habal or motorcycle is a Philippine transportation vehicle that is so useful in many

ways. It is adaptable, able to change or be changed in order to fit or work better in

some situation or for some purpose in rural and urban places. Motorized tricycle

transportation business can be a profitable business venture due to the large

number of people relying on this means of transportation.

Based on the study of Huerta (2015) normally, a tricycle can accommodate three

to five passengers and luggage can be placed on the roof. Three people can fit

inside the side car and usually one or two passengers can ride behind the driver, if

safety measures are considered. But often one will see this Philippine transportation

vehicle carrying 10 to 20 passengers that is dangerous. But, the drivers allowed it

and do not take action. The reasons why tricycle are much better is because of the

fair, it is easy on the pocket, if you have a car you will pay for parking fee and fuel.

Second, tricycle is everywhere no needs to use any application to find where to ride.

Third easy to maintain and operate, next, no special skills necessary to operate.

Also, if you have a car and still riding in a tricycle it can contribute to the prolonging

life of your car. Koroth (2014) reveals that satisfaction is one of the most widely
studied, it builds in business relationships which fosters a greater commitment to the

drivers and passengers (2014).

Therefore satisfaction is regarded as one important indicator of

relationship quality between the one who do business and the most important in

the whole life of the business (Bronnenmayer et.al 2016). The main reason why

passengers keep riding habal-habal is their satisfaction. Money is not a big deal

when your need meet your satisfaction. Drivers must have specialized licenses,

regular routes, and not too expensive fixed fares. According to the “A habal-habal

ride in the Philippines” fare starts from Php8.00 and up, depending on the locality

and the distance to be ridden. They are always available, cheap and fast. If you

want to pay the lowest fare, you will wait until the strike is filled up with

passengers. But if you want the motorcycle alone, just tell the driver you want a

“special” ride. Then after that, it will bring you to every desired place. The

motorcycle drivers carry their passengers to their desired destination for a small

fee, but having that such work is a risk to a driver's life because it can cause a lot

of diseases caused by air pollution and other factors that can affect the life of a

driver. Every driver want to sustain and provide the needs of their families but

they do not know what are the technique and solution they need to surpass all

the challenges in their everyday life. Some of the tricycle drivers chose this

profession due of their poverty and not able to finish their studies. The

motorcycle is a Philippine transportation vehicle that rules inner roads and

narrow streets.
 The Habal-Habal that has been known in Philippines was composed of the

excess body parts left after the conversions. . It is one of the most remarkable,

descent and chief means of transportation, also one of the major sources of

livelihood for low-income earners and unemployed people. The drivers are faced

with many problems including educational level,incentive alignment with the

owners, accessibility to information and high level of needing money (Sietchiping

et.al2012) Habal-Habal are the small version of jeepney because of their number

that crowd the streets every day, blocking people's way and also creates traffic.

Being a tricycle driver is difficult to experience because you should be strong and

healthy. They are always on the road so probably; their health can be affected

because of polluted air and changes in weather.

According to Merriam Webster (2019) health is the condition of being well

or free from disease. Motorcycle drivers are exposed to polluted environment that

can cause a number of concerns towards health. They are prone on acquiring

non communicable diseases such as cough, pulmonary diseases and respiratory

diseases. Sudden change in weather can also affect the health of the tricycle

drivers. They are also prone to having discomforts and body pains since they

spend an average of at least ten hours on the road. They are subjected to

improper or awkward positions for a long period and vehicle measurements do

not suit their needs. The absence of street lights and lack of sleep while driving

can be a factor of many accidents in the road. Due to several health practices of

tricycle drivers, it can lead them to road accidents.

 There are several factors that can weaken your health; one of these can

be your work. In the Philippines, motorcycle drivers are Filipino who work long

days and endure a lot of difficulties to provide the needs for their daily living or

source of family income. Usually the father is the one who drives a tricycle as

source of income, but nowadays being practical of Filipinos some drivers are

women to sustain financial income. The purpose of this research is to present

reader’s better understanding about drivers. Also, this study will give motorcycle

drivers a chance to express their feelings and insights. For example, from the

passengers’ perspective, the habal-habal is uncomfortable due to insufficient

seating space. Most of the passengers are annoyed with the noise and smoke of

the motorcycle. As a passenger, it is correct.

But when a motorcycle driver is seen on the road, people always think that

it is an easy job because they are just traveling anywhere. The problems

encountered by a driver is not that easy because instead of being disrespectful to

their passengers, they have just their patience and they just let it go without any

hesitation. Also, due to expose to environment drivers can experience diseases

and pollutions because of spending time on the road. In the other hand, this

study aims to know what are the effect of traffic to the livelihood of motorcycle

drivers, the ways and techniques of a motorcycle drivers to surpass all

challenges in their life, to discover new ideas and convinced people out there that

every downs, there are ups it depends on how you will handle things

proportionally (Aiello, 2015).

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This presents the methodology that the researchers utilized in conducting

the study. It encompasses the research design, research locale, research

participants, research instrument, data gathering procedure, and data analysis.

1. RESEARCH DESIGN

This study will used a qualitative research design using phenomenology to

explore the fulfilment challenges, and lived and experiences of habal-habal in

which has created a need for research. The use of qualitative research helps

researchers to understand lived and experiences of habal-habal drivers.

Qualitative research design using phenomenology also allow researchers to

analyze information from participants, through a person-centered viewpoint. This

approach also allows for detailed information about the participants’ feelings in

relationship to the problem, and allows for analysis of personal experiences.

2. RESEARCH LOCAL

This study was conducted at Columbio Sultan Kudarat. The researchers

choose these areas because of the accessibility of the researchers in gathering

data to the respondents. Aside from that, there is an increasing number of habal
 habal driver residing in this area and the researchers wanted to know how they

cope up with their challenges and experience fulfillment being as a habal-habal

driver.

3. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS

The participants consistent of ten (10) habal habal drivers who had been

experiences of driving.

This research will manage information:

a. This subjects had to be the professional habal-habal driver.

b. The perpetrator had to be a consistent of being licensure driver.

4. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

The researcher using for purposive sampling the total of respondents in

Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

5. RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

During the study, each participant will complete a semi-structured

interview to explore their fulfillment, challenges, and experiences as a habal-

habal driver. The questions that each participant will answer are specific to the

current study and developed by the researcher. The purpose of using specific

questions is to elicit the most useful information for this study. Using a semi-

structured interview will allow for open-ended questions that will explore the area

of study and are less standardized, as the interviewer has to adjust the questions

depending on the participants comprehension skills.

6. DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE
The data used in this study will be derived through in-depth interviews of

participants, in addition to field notes. The interview format will be semi-

structured and the questions open-ended. Probing questions will be asked to

expand and elaborate on the participants’ responses. Yin (2003) suggests that,

“One insight into asking good questions is to understand that research is about

questions and not necessarily about answers”. Using this method of open-ended

questioning we hoped to facilitate a sharing of life experiences (Fontana & Frey,

2000). Thus, the researchers recognize that each participant had a unique story

to tell. As a result, they will we allow for significant opportunity for the participants

to help direct the interviews.

Several open-ended questions will be developed prior to the interviews as

prompts for gathering data but participants will be encouraged to elaborate and

direct the discussion in ways, they felt comfortable. In keeping with qualitative

research methods, opportunities for sharing and dialogue were encouraged

(Fontana & Frey, 2000). Participants will be asked to answer questions based on

their comfort level and life experience.

7. DATA ANALYSIS METHOD

The proposed study is seeking to obtain statements that will aid in

understanding fulfilment, challenges of parenting as experienced of habal-habal

driver in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, that the extraction of pertinent ideas is

 important in increasing the quality of the reported data; therefore, selecting and

incorporating excerpts from the participants will provide richness to the study.

A. NARRATIVE ANALYSIS

Narrative analysis focuses on the stories people tell and the

language they use to make sense of them. It is particularly useful for getting a

deep understanding of costumer perspectives on a specific issue. A narrative

analysis might enable us to summarize the outcomes of the focused case study.

8. REFFERENCE

1. http://jurnal.unmuhjember.ac.id/index.php/IECO/article/download/510/399
2. http://jurnal.unmuhjember.ac.id/index.php/IECO/article/view/510
3. https://www.coursehero.com/file/99458173/Incompletedocx/