Habal-Habal

For the uninitiated, habal-habal is a motorcycle used for public transportation . Just like the
jeepney, it is a product of the natural craftsmanship of Filipinos. It shows how innovative we can
become in order to make a living and/or get around.
Habal-habal commonly has three types. First is simply a two-wheeled motorcycle with a
wooden extension at the back to give a seat for more passengers. The other variant, called a
“skylab”, is a bigger vehicle that has a more complex structure. It has two wooden planks on
each side enabling the vehicle to carry up to a dozen passengers all at the same time.
The last type is just a plain motorcycle with no modifications and can only accommodate
one passenger. This variant is ubiquitous in urban areas such as Metro Manila. They are literally
everywhere. You can spot them around busy areas like malls, train stations, and business
centers. You can even easily book a habal-habal ride on social media.  Many of them operate
outside of the regulated passenger transports service such as Angkas or Joyride PH.
Rather than totally getting rid of the utilization of the habal-habal, its existence must be
embraced by transforming it into a safer and legal commute option for Filipinos.
A possible way to make this happen is by creating an innovative transportation and
design plan – that considers safety and security (insurance, background checks, etc) and
traffic engineering and design. Drivers/riders must be properly trained and oriented, as other
motorists are. If these actions will be done, no one has to lose their job; and people will benefit
from improved transport in a country that badly needs it.

Why is habal-habal not legal?

- Habal-habal is not regulated by the government. This basically means that

having and driving one is illegal. The drivers are not licensed and legally trained;
therefore, making their driving skills unreliably questionable.
STATISTICS:

 In 2020, MMDA recorded 11,032 motorcycle-related accidents in Metro Manila alone.

 According to the latest Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis
System (MMARAS) report, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
recorded a total of 26,768 motorcycles involved in road accidents last year, which
was an increase of 1,560 from the previous year. The grand total number of vehicles
involved in incidents, however, was down from 125,010 in 2020 to just 112,228 in 2021.
 The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said at
least 1,010 motorcycle-related accidents were reported in Commonwealth Avenue in
Quezon City from January to August 2022.
LEGALITIES:

 Proposed Bill “Motorcycle for Hire Act” –> refiling of the bill in the 19th Congress
 House Bill 10571 or the “Motorcycles-for-Hire Act” consolidated 19 various legislative
proposals that seek to finally legalize the operations of motorcycles for public utility. The
 bill defines a motorcycle-for-hire (MFH) as a duly registered motorcycle that will be used
to carry passengers or goods on a for hire basis, offering its services to the public.
Metro Manila vehicle crashes averaging 156 daily | Inquirer News
 Republic Act 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code laid the
groundwork for all the traffic regulations we have today. RA 4136 required all motor
vehicles to be registered in a national registry.
 Republic Act 10054 – Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009
Republic Act No. 10054 (lawphil.net)

PILOT SCHEME (2017 applied for pilot scheme 3 major platform providers applied for pilot
testing)

- The technical working group (TWG) formed by the Department of

Transportation (DOTr) is officially endorsing an extension of the pilot run for
motorcycle-taxi company Angkas as well as two other industry players.
- Aside from authorizing two new players to participate in the scheme, the TWG
has set a limit to the number of riders for each of the three motorcycle
companies: 10,000 for those operating in Metro Manila, and 3,000 for those in
Metro Cebu.

 REGULATORY INSUANCES
- safety protocols (such as insurance, mandatory helmet law)
- Continual road & safety training
- Platform providers must ensure that riders have to go through orientations &
trainings
-

INSURANCE

- Angkas provides a personal accident insurance to assure the safety of their

passengers as well as to their bikers. Riders and passengers who figure in
crashes can claim the insurance as short as 15 days of confinement with
complete hospital documents.