Rough start for discipline zone: Traffic snarls Ban-Tal

CEBU, Philippines — Despite numerous complaints from motorists and commuters due to the heavy traffic on the first day of the strict enforcement of the Banilad-Talamban (BanTal) Discipline Zone on Wednesday, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) head Raquel Arce said the traffic scheme will continue to instill long-needed discipline along the corridor.

In an interview with The Freeman, Arce acknowledged the resistance from motorists and commuters, saying the congestion was expected, especially since some motorists were still confused after Mayor Nestor Archival earlier announced that August 1 to 5 would serve as a dry run.

"Expected gyud nga ing-ato … Busy, daghan ang volume sa sakyanan both North-bound and South-bound…Unya as expected, basta naa tay e introduce nga kausaban ang tawo resistant gyud...dugay na ni, nganong ingon ani…Expected na dihang dapita," she explained.

The city allotted five days for information dissemination before full enforcement, but Arce admitted that public education continues alongside the issuance of citations. She noted that many violations involved motorcycle riders crossing solid lane markings and public utility vehicles (PUVs) failing to use designated lay-bys.

By midday, CCTO personnel had issued 80 Temporary Operator's Permits (TOPs), while the total number of citation tickets was still being finalized. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other enforcement agencies also joined the operation.

Many motorists took to social media to complain that the traffic scheme favored larger vehicles, forcing smaller ones into heavier congestion.

Arce rejected the claim, clarifying that the rightmost lane is not exclusive to motorcycles but is shared by slow-moving vehicles preparing to enter establishments or designated PUV loading and unloading areas.

"So asa man dapit nga gipaboran namo ang mga dako?" she asked, explaining that modern PUVs are allowed to use the lane only when approaching their designated stops before returning to the innermost lane.

Drone footage taken during the first day of implementation showed that most motorcycle riders complied with the new lane assignments, although some four-wheeled vehicles continued to misuse the outermost lane.

Arce said traffic enforcers were actively reminding motorists of the new rules. The changes also affected commuters.

Some passengers complained of longer waiting times as PUVs could no longer overload or stop indiscriminately to pick up or drop off passengers.

In Talamban, market-goers were also caught jaywalking, prompting the deployment of anti-jaywalking teams to enforce pedestrian discipline.

"Discipline zone is not only for the drivers, it's also for the students, for the pedestrians and general public," Arce stressed, adding that even traffic enforcers themselves are expected to follow the rules.

Despite the complaints, Arce pointed to what she described as a significant achievement of the program: only one motorcycle-related crash has been recorded in the BanTal area since April 1.

"Mao na siya'y mas nindot nga mao'y atong i-emphasize," she said, underscoring the safety gains brought about by stricter traffic management.

The BanTal Discipline Zone is the second major traffic discipline initiative implemented by the Cebu City government, following the motorcycle lane pilot project along the South Road Properties (SRP).

Archival has described the initiative as part of the city's broader traffic modernization program, which also includes the installation of AI-enabled traffic cameras, stricter enforcement against drunk driving, and intensified grassroots traffic education.

Arce acknowledged that changing motorists' behavior would not happen overnight.

"Dili ni nato mahimo, dili ni pareho og sili nga inig kitkit muhang dayon. Taud-taud pa gyud ni ang pag-education," she said. — Preciosa Bacalso/FPL (FREEMAN)