THRILL-SEEKING riders traversing the Transcentral Highway may soon face stricter rules, as Balamban Mayor Amos Edwin Cabahug pushes for an ordinance regulating noise levels and enforcing speed limits along the popular mountain route, addressing long-standing concerns from residents.
In a letter dated July 11, 2025 and posted on the official Facebook page “Balamban Karon,” Cabahug issued a “Certificate of Urgency” endorsing five legislative measures to the Sangguniang Bayan (SB). The proposals were formally submitted through SB secretary Rufo Hayag for inclusion in the council’s next session.
The Transcentral Highway, which links Cebu City in the east to Balamban in the west, has become a hotspot not only for scenic drives but also for reckless driving behavior, some of which has resulted in tragic accidents.
Beyond road safety concerns, a report from SunStar Cebu on Oct. 17, 2024, noted that residents have long complained of sleepless nights due to motorcycles with illegally modified mufflers racing along the highway, especially at night.
The area is also known for “motor banking,” a high-speed maneuver where riders tilt their bikes sharply while turning, a common practice along the winding mountain roads.
Since taking office on June 30, this is the first major legislative agenda Cabahug has forwarded to the SB.
Other proposed measures
Other proposed measures also include the removal of fees for the use of public comfort rooms across Balamban.
Another measure calls for the elimination of entrance and other related charges at Cambuhawe Spring, a popular public resort in Barangay Cambuhawe.
Cabahug is also pushing for the designation of official smoking areas within the municipality, along with penalties for individuals caught smoking in public places outside these zones.
To support local farmers and low-income residents, the mayor is pushing for the exemption of indigents from paying rental fees for tractors owned by the Municipal Government. / CDF