Motorcycles allowed back on Banilad flyover as Cebu City adjusts Oplan BanTal traffic scheme

MOTORCYCLES are back on the Banilad flyover on Thursday, just one day after being banned from using the elevated road. Cebu City officials reopened the flyover after revising their new traffic plan, explaining that changes are normal during the testing phase of "Oplan BanTal."

Starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, riders traveling both northbound and southbound could use the flyover again. While this rule changed, other traffic measures under the program stay in full effect. Riders must still use designated motorcycle lanes, follow a strict no-overtaking rule, cross at marked pedestrian areas, and use set loading lay-bys for public utility vehicles.

Why the quick change 

The sudden shift came after motorcycle riders complained that being sent beneath the flyover caused major delays and confusion on Wednesday, Aug. 5, the first day of the new setup.

Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) Head Raquel Arce rejected claims that reversing the rule meant the program failed. Instead, she explained that Oplan BanTal was built to adapt to real-time road conditions.

“This is not a failure of the Discipline Zone. We only adjusted one aspect of the implementation,” Arce said during an interview Thursday. “We are still in the process of studying the implementation. If there are measures that need to be adjusted, then we adjust them. If there are measures that need to be made stricter, then we will do so until we finalize everything.”

Arce noted that officials did not just listen to public complaints—they also watched the traffic flow themselves.

“We listened to the clamor of the public, but we also saw the situation ourselves. If we already know there is something that should be corrected, why shouldn’t we make adjustments?” she added.

Rider violations 

Even with the flyover reopened, traffic enforcers still caught many riders breaking rules. Arce pointed out that some motorcyclists immediately swerved into inner lanes after coming off the flyover, while others raced next to bigger vehicles.

“Motorcycles may pass through the flyover, but after that they should return to the outermost lane. They should not occupy the inner lanes or compete with other vehicles for space,” Arce warned.

On day one, CCTO issued 115 citation tickets along the test route, though officials are still counting how many were given specifically at the Banilad flyover.

Oplan BanTal: Discipline Zone is Cebu City's experimental traffic plan covering the busy Mambaling-to-Talamban corridor. Its main goal is to clear up traffic jams by teaching drivers strict lane discipline, enforcing loading zones, making pedestrian crossings safer, and clamping down on traffic violations before rolling out the rules to other main roads.

Calls for public consultation

The swift policy change caught the attention of local leaders. On Thursday, City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover announced in a Facebook post that he will file a resolution asking for a public consultation on Oplan BanTal. He wants drivers, riders, and community members to share their concerns and ideas before the traffic rules become final.

Arce welcomed the idea of public feedback, reiterating that the program is still a work in progress. She urged drivers to stay alert and follow road markings closely, noting that the "No Entry" signs for motorcycles were removed before reopening the flyover.

“If there is a ‘No Entry’ sign, then don’t enter. If there is none, then you may proceed. The important thing is to read the traffic signs and obey them,” she said.

City traffic authorities will keep monitoring the road and driver behavior over the next few days. Their observations will decide whether Oplan BanTal needs more adjustments or if it is ready to expand across other major roads in Cebu City. CAV