CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has assured Cebuanos that the traffic congestion following the partial rollout of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) lanes is temporary, stressing that the project is meant to instill discipline and deliver long-term efficiency in the city’s transport system.
“Wa gyud ‘ni gihimo aron paghimo sa traffic ug paghasol sa mga katawhan,” Archival said, stressing that the adjustments are part of a learning process for both motorists and traffic managers.
The CBRT, conceptualized more than a decade ago, finally began partial operations last week after years of delays caused by right-of-way and funding issues.
Dedicated bus lanes under Package 1 are now being tested, with full operations expected once all stations and routes are completed.
“We are doing this in such a way nga madisiplina ang mga tawo, makiahibaw ang mga driver asa sila punto or asa sila padong para muhapsay ang atong BRT,” Archival added.
The mayor acknowledged complaints from motorists and passengers, noting that congestion is inevitable during adjustment periods.
“Nakasabot gyud ko niana…every time nga na’y bag-ong re-routing or re-arrangement sa traffic, kuan gyud na siya is very sure nga naa gyuy mausab. And considering nga naa’y mausab, mag-expect gyud ‘ta nga na’y traffic,” he explained.
To illustrate how discipline can ease congestion, Archival pointed to the Banilad–Talamban (BanTal) corridor, one of Cebu’s busiest routes.
On his first day addressing the issue, he sought the help of Governor Pamela Baricuatro to open V. Padriga Street, a vital access road near Cebu IT Park.
“Like in Talamban, traffic kayo didto…so what we did, primiro nako’ng adlaw nihangyo ko ni Gov. Pam nga ablihan ang Padrega. Niarang-arang,” he recalled.
He also backed the installation of traffic lights in Cabancalan despite initial backlash. “Pag butang sa traffic lights, reklamo ang mga tawo…pero karon, na disiplina na ang mga tawo,” Archival said, noting that clearer lane discipline has already reduced daily vehicle volume from about 75,000 to 60,000–65,000.
Archival clarified that artificial intelligence systems are being applied in the BanTal corridor to monitor traffic and adjust flows automatically.
“For example. Gikan ka San Carlos going to Talamban, pagkabantay niya nga walay tawo, automatic siya mupadong sa six…Siya na’y kahibaw mu-manage nga kining area nga wala man nagdagan, ako ni’ng mub-on ang gikan sa Cabancalan akong ipaagi,” he explained.
The mayor also addressed complaints about bus-only lanes in the CBRT. “Reklamo sila nganong bus ra ma’y paagion? Nga puro raman bus sa BRT. We will be considering nga pwede makaagi ang uban…as long as dili siya maka-hamper sa dagan sa bus,” he said.
He emphasized that the Department of Transportation deliberately began partial operations to identify adjustments before full rollout. “Rest assured nga gihimo ‘ni sa DOTr kay gusto nila ma-start lang gyud para makahibalo ta og unsay angay nato e adjust.”
Archival concluded by reiterating that the CBRT rollout and all other changes in the city’s traffic flow system are not meant to inconvenience the public but to prepare Cebu for a disciplined, efficient transport future.
“This is something nga dili nato mahimo diha diha dayon. Nevertheless, we continue to do what is right and based on the studies nga atong nakit-an. From there, musugod na sad ‘ta dinhi padong sa South.”
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol
