City Hall aims to replicate Ban-Tal traffic scheme

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is considering replicating the Banilad–Talamban (Ban-Tal) Discipline Zone in other congested areas if the ongoing traffic experiment, which will run until the end of August, is proven effective.

Although the scheme is still on trial, penalties already issued cannot be waived, Mayor Nestor Archival’s Chief of Staff Kenneth Siasar told reporters in a press briefing yesterday.

Siasar’s remarks came as Councilor Harold Kendrick Go proposed a resolution urging the mayor to grant a one-time waiver of fines, arguing that many motorists were penalized out of confusion during the adjustment period.

“Lisod e-waive sa mayor kun part na sa COAble nga dokumento,” Siasar explained, referring to Commission on Audit forms used for citation tickets.

He emphasized that the city’s focus should be on discipline and cooperation rather than penalties.

“Dili ta mu-focus sa bayranan, but sa intensyon nga mahapsay ang trapiko diha sa Ban-Tal,” he said.

According to Siasar, most of the violations recorded so far involved counterflowing and motorists crossing solid lines.

“Mostly, kato rang ni-cross sa solid line, kato rang ni-counterflow,” he said, adding that enforcement has been targeted rather than indiscriminate.

He noted that several motorists have already settled their penalties at the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO).

The discipline zone, launched earlier this month, enforces motorcycle lane discipline, designated lay-bys for public utility vehicles, and pedestrian compliance with crosswalks and skywalks.

Many riders initially complained of the inconvenience. Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. also called for maintaining the status quo in the implementation unless proper consultations and meetings among stakeholders are held.

“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, insisting that new traffic measures should be preceded by consultations and adequate public notice.

Alcover has since filed a resolution seeking public hearings before the scheme continues, pointing out that the sudden ban on motorcycles from the Banilad flyover during the dry run and its quick reversal the following day underscored the need for better planning.

Siasar, however, said traffic has already become more manageable.

“Flowing na ang trapiko diha sa Ban-Tal. We may not achieve perfection, pero naa gyud kausaban,” he said, noting that several motorists have already paid their penalties.

He appealed to four-wheel vehicle drivers to respect motorcycle lanes, warning that misuse of the lanes forces riders into unsafe positions.

“Useless atong gihimo kon wa tay consideration sa uban,” he added.

According to Siasar, Archival has directed the CCTO to continue monitoring the scheme until the end of the month.

If the traffic improvements hold, City Hall is considering replicating the program in other areas.

“Although simulation ni siya, although experimental ni siya, but ato ning gitan-aw nga unta tinud-on sa mga motorista,” Siasar said, stressing that the city is studying the program closely. — (FREEMAN)