Pending public consultation: Suspend Ban-Tal scheme - Alcover

CEBU, Philippines — Citing the lack of public consultation and the absence of Cebu City Council approval, Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. is seeking the suspension of the Banilad-Talamban (BanTal) Discipline Zone until public hearings are conducted to ensure that affected stakeholders are heard.

Alcover said he will file a resolution on Monday calling for public hearings before the traffic scheme continues.

“I will file a resolution nga mag public hearing ta para ang impact ba, dili negative sa mga tawo…So before tingali mag implement ta ana, tawgon nato ang mga stakeholders, especially diha sa Talamban-Banilad area,” Alcover said.

The councilor criticized the Traffic Management Council (TMC) and the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) for implementing the discipline zone on August 5 following what was described as a five-day information campaign.

He said even members of the City Council were not properly informed of the details of the new traffic scheme, leaving residents surprised by restrictions such as confining motorcycles to the rightmost lane and prohibiting them from using the Foodland flyover.

“Kami gani sa City Council, wa gani mi kahibalo. Wa mi kahibaw sa detalye. Wa man mi ma konsulta, derecho-derecho ra man sa Mayor,” Alcover said, stressing that new traffic measures should be preceded by consultations and adequate public notice.

The first day of implementation resulted in heavy traffic congestion, confusion among motorists, and the issuance of citations against violators.

Following complaints from motorcycle riders, the city reopened the Foodland flyover to motorcycles the next day, a move Alcover said underscored the need for better planning and broader consultation.

He also noted that jeepney drivers were confused over the designated lay-bys.

Earlier, CCTO chief Raquel Arce admitted that a consultation with public utility vehicle operators had been scheduled before the rollout but was canceled due to flooding.

Transportation Committee chairman Councilor Winston Pepito, however, defended the implementation, saying the measures merely enforce existing traffic laws and ordinances.

“Wala man gyud na siya, kay wa may need for approval from the Council kay nagpatuman raman ni sila sa existing nga law,” Pepito said.

He explained that the ordinance establishing motorcycle lanes had already been approved by the City Council earlier this year following public hearings and a dry run.

“On the motorcycle lane, that’s an approved ordinance, yes, that’s a new one… approved a few months ago,” Pepito said.

Pepito acknowledged there had been confusion over the implementation timeline, particularly after strict enforcement appeared to begin earlier than the five-day dry run announced by Mayor Nestor Archival.

Still, he maintained that the initiative is intended to improve road discipline and public safety.

He added that enforcing helmet laws, counterflow prohibitions, and other traffic regulations does not require additional approval from the City Council since these are already mandated under existing laws.

Pepito also emphasized that while the BanTal Discipline Zone is not a complete solution to Cebu City's traffic congestion, it is meant to encourage discipline among motorists.

“Discipline Zone though dili ra na siya dapat sa BanTal area, tanan gyud… we should all be disciplined,” Pepito said.

For his part, Alcover clarified that he is not opposed to the BanTal Discipline Zone itself and acknowledged that he has observed positive effects in some areas.

However, he maintained that the program should proceed only after affected sectors have been properly informed and consulted.

“Kun ibalik na nila, way problema, okay raman gihapon… maayo raman ang dagan in some parts and depending on the time. Ang problema man gud ana, wa man guy public consultation, makurat ang mga tawo dayon. Anything you introduce, magpahibaw sa unta… patawag silag meeting sa tanang stakeholders. Then basin dili kayo sakit, dili kayo negative kay apil man sila sa consultation,” Alcover said, stressing that transparency and dialogue are essential to ensure public acceptance of the traffic scheme and minimize disruption. (CEBU NEWS)