THE Banilad-Talamban (Ban-Tal) Road is set to become a “discipline zone,” a measure Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival is considering implementing to ease the area’s traffic congestion.
Archival discussed this initiative after his oathtaking on Friday, May 30, 2025, before officials of the Cebu News Workers Multipurpose Cooperative. A Facebook post by the City’s Public Information Office indicated that Archival will likely announce his plans for the long thoroughfare during his inaugural address this June.
Archival said the primary reason for this move is to alleviate persistent traffic congestion along Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., a critical thoroughfare for motorists that overlaps with a part of Ban-Tal Road.
According to the mayor-elect, the “discipline zone” will prohibit indiscriminate parking of vehicles and motorcycles. Motorcycles will also be required to strictly adhere to their “dedicated lane” and will be forbidden from weaving through traffic.
Furthermore, delivery riders and trucks may be restricted from entering the area between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Their stops for deliveries or unloading are seen as contributing factors to traffic buildup during peak hours.
Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) head Raquel Arce told SunStar Cebu on Sunday, June 1, that the CCTO will provide “all-out” support to the mayor-elect’s plan. She added that on Monday, June 2, there will be a launching of the Talamban Circle discipline zone, though she did not elaborate further on this related initiative.
Motorists traversing the Banilad and Talamban areas have expressed support for Archival’s plans, suggesting that if proven effective, the scheme should be implemented city-wide.
Justine Surabilla, who drives through the road at least five times a week, told SunStar on Sunday that the plan would be effective given proper implementation and enforcement.
Irvin Grigor Adrales, another daily motorist, also supported the plan, agreeing that numerous cars park on the side of the road with hazard lights on. Adrales further pointed out that deteriorated roads slow down vehicles.
He also highlighted the issue of public transportation, specifically jeepneys, making sudden stops on the road to pick up commuters.
“Dapat gyud siguro mo-tarong pud sila butang og bus stops or mga jeepney stops para di ra mo-change lane ang mga tawo kay mohunong sila wa diri, wa didto,” said Adrales.
(They really should properly put up bus stops or jeepney stops so people don’t just keep changing lanes because they stop here and there.)
Adrales also pushed for effective information dissemination to ensure motorists are well aware of the new rules on Ban-Tal Road.
Daniel Gamallo, a student at a university in the area, called for stricter monitoring of jeepney stops, citing constant congestion due to jeepneys lining up.
However, Gamallo raised a concern regarding the proposed ban on delivery riders in the morning, querying how it would be implemented given the continuous nature of online bookings.
Archival said that with this initial plan, he hopes traffic congestion will be minimized. He added that there will be testing of the plan in the next few weeks.
He also clarified that consultations will be conducted before fully implementing these changes, adding that he is open to receiving suggestions regarding the plan.
In 2023, the City Government planned a one-way traffic scheme that would be implemented at the three flyovers along Ban-Tal Road. However, the plan was not actualized.
Archival is a resident of Talamban, where he built the “Eco-House” that incorporates solar energy, biogas from organic waste and rainwater harvesting systems. It exemplifies the electrical engineer and environmental advocate’s commitment to sustainable living. / JPS