Around Cebu, it is estimated that at least 8,000 drivers drive motorcycles as their main source of income especially in the mountain barangays. The Transportation Restraining Order (TRO) was released December 12, 2018 with immediate implement the resolution and Angkas bikers or habal-habal will be apprehended and their motorcycles impounded.

December 23, 2018 a thanksgivings mass was hosted by Cebu City Government specially made for Angkas or habal-habal drivers. At least 7,000 drivers attended and ask help for the City Mayor which vowed to helped them. As a Christmas season, each driver went home with a gift.

Angkas bikers collected 130,000 petition signatures in Manila after a concert was held sponsored by Angkas and support from 30 celebrities.

This January 3, City Mayor Tommy Osmeña posted on his Facebook page saying:

House Bill No. 6909, introduced by Cong. Raul del Mar and co-authored by Cong. Bebot Abellanosa and entitled “AN ACT REGULATING MOTORCYCLES-FOR-HIRE KNOWN AS HABAL-HABAL OR ANGKAS, THEREBY AUTHORIZING CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO GRANT FRANCHISES FOR THEIR OPERATIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 458 (1) (VI) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES,” is now in the pipeline. The status of the bill? It is currently under the scrutiny of the technical working group of the Committee of Transportation and is awaiting consolidation.

Motorcycle drivers were glad to hear this from Cebu City Mayor Osmeña and hope that President Duterte will hear them out too.

Angkas is an app with professional drivers, with an identification in place in the system itself and insurance. The fees of the passengers are given to bikers and the fare starts at P50 on the first 2 KM and 10 on the succeeding kilometers. This would give the passengers an estimated fees and assurance aside from other motorcycle drivers which has overpriced fees.

What are your thoughts about it? Is Angkas worth saving?