Cebu City eyes acquiring speed guns for SRP anew

CEBU, Philippines — Acknowledging that the area has long been plagued by accidents, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival is moving to strengthen traffic enforcement at the South Road Properties (SRP), which includes the deployment of speed guns.

Archival said additional traffic enforcers and modern monitoring equipment are needed to address persistent violations, particularly overspeeding and beating traffic lights.

“Bisan unsaon nimo ug butang ug traffic lights, mugawas ganig naay stop pa or mu-go na, mu-beat gyud ug traffic lights. Mao nay resulta sa ilang imbestigasyon,” Archival explained.

He emphasized that reckless speeding remains the most common factor in SRP accidents.

“Ang kadaghanan sa atong mga tawo, kusog kaayo managan. Mao nga ako sila giingnan, kung pwede, ibutang gyud nato ang atong regulation… ang atong speed limit,” he added.

Archival confirmed that the city hopes to acquire speed guns within the month of July. Once procured, violators will face immediate apprehension.

“Dakupon gyud,” Archival declared.

The SRP has long been notorious for accidents, not only in June but over several years. As previously assessed by officials, its wide lanes and coastal stretch attract speeding, leading motorists to often disregard traffic signals.

Fatal crashes have been recorded repeatedly, with motorcycles and private vehicles involved in collisions that highlight the dangers of overspeeding.

In response to the repeated accidents at the SRP, the Cebu City government previously tried to lower the official speed limit from 60 kilometers per hour to 40 kilometers per hour, with signs erected in some areas advising motorists to slow down further to 30 kph.

Despite these measures, enforcement remained inconsistent due to limited manpower and a lack of equipment. At present, the limit is set at 60 kph through City Ordinance 2012.

Under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act 4136), speed limits vary according to road classification.

For open roads, cars and similar motor vehicles are allowed to travel up to 80 kph on national primary roads, 70 kph on national secondary roads, and 60 kph on national tertiary roads. Trucks, buses, tricycles, and similar vehicles are restricted to 50 kph across all open roads.

For streets, defined in RA 4136 as provincial or major roads where traffic is expected to flow continuously and vehicles on intersecting roads must yield, the limit is 40 kph for cars, motorcycles, and similar vehicles, and 30 kph for trucks and buses.

On crowded streets, including barangay roads and other densely populated areas, the limit is set at 20 kph for all types of vehicles.

Cebu City has attempted to acquire speed guns before.

In 2022, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) reportedly proposed P1.5 million for the purchase of laser speed guns, admitting that the radar-type device it had was unreliable and not accurate enough for apprehensions. The plan stalled in the City Council.

In 2024, then Councilor Rey Gealon again pushed for speed guns under City Ordinance 801 and the Road Speed Limiter Act, citing repeated accidents at the SRP. That proposal also failed to move forward, leaving enforcement dependent on patrols and public awareness campaigns.

Archival's current directive marks the most serious attempt yet to modernize enforcement, with procurement expected within weeks.

Speed guns, also known as radar or laser speed detectors, measure a vehicle's speed by sending out radio waves or laser beams that bounce back from a moving vehicle.

In the Philippines, speed guns are already in use in Metro Manila, Davao City, and Baguio.

It was also learned that the CCTO had earlier proposed integrating speed guns into the city's existing digital traffic signs.

This, accordingly, would help minimize human error in the use of handheld devices, according to CCTO Assistant Head Atty. Kent Francesco Jongoy.

Officials said the urgency of stricter enforcement is heightened by the expected surge in activity at the SRP.

The area is set to host the SM Seaside Arena, which is expected to draw large crowds for concerts and sporting events.

Alongside the arena, new commercial establishments and developments are projected to increase traffic volume significantly. — /IHM (FREEMAN)