The Mandaue City Council has called on all 27 barangay captains to coordinate with motorcycle-for-hire drivers, commonly known as habal-habal, to set fair and consistent fare rates as gasoline prices climb.
Councilor Jesus Arcilla Jr., chair of the Committee on Energy, said commuters, particularly students and workers, have raised concerns about high and inconsistent fares across the city.
“Many complaints have reached our office… fares vary from one habal-habal to another,” Arcilla said in an interview on March 23, 2026. He added that one-kilometer rides now range from P25 to P40, depending on the driver.
To address the issue, the council passed a resolution urging barangay captains to meet with habal-habal leaders in their areas to agree on a uniform fare. Arcilla said this approach would prevent disputes and arbitrary pricing by drivers.
“Bringing the drivers together at the barangay level ensures that rates are fair and consistent,” he said. “If left unregulated, some may charge passengers randomly, creating confusion and hardship.”
Arcilla noted that while rising fuel costs have prompted drivers to increase fares, regulating and clarifying rates is necessary to protect commuters from unfair practices.
“Students and daily commuters are especially vulnerable,” he said. “We want to make sure no sector is disadvantaged, even as we understand the drivers’ situation.”
The councilor emphasized that it will be the responsibility of habal-habal presidents to propose rates that are acceptable to both drivers and passengers, ensuring that the agreements are implemented consistently.
Arcilla said he hopes the discussions between barangay officials and motorcycle-for-hire operators will produce a fair fare structure that benefits commuters and supports drivers amid higher fuel prices. (VCL)
