Stepping out of Davao city airport and into conventional taxi, I soon realized that our visit to Mindanao was going to be a stimulating one. I became instantly convinced that all of the posted traffic laws were theoretical as we wove in and out of oncoming traffic and into a requisite jam. With my cab going nowhere fast, I watched the effortless skill of the motorcycle drivers with admiration as they passed mere centimeters from the front seat of the cab and each other. In Mindanao, there seemed to be the ratio of two or three motorcycles for every one car on the road, which was just fine for a motorcycle enthusiast like myself. Remarkably, these two-wheeled motorbikes would be carrying any number of passengers, from one up to six at least, in the delicate balance of necessity and convenience.
Local artisans have taken a conventional motorcycle and combined an axel with a third wheel and enhanced the vehicles stability. Then added a bench seat with a roof and created vehicles perfectly suited for the quick stop commutes of urban Mindanao. Called the “Habal Habal”, these three-wheeled taxis are fuel efficient and relatively affordable for both driver and patron. Capable of transporting five or more people at a time, “Habal Habals” are increasingly becoming a ubiquitous site in Mindanao’s inner cities. Having had the chance to ride on a couple of these, they are safer than they look and really are the vehicle of choice for the area.
