Mandaue City authorities are stepping up efforts to stop unauthorized motorcycle drag racing under the Cansaga Bridge in Barangay Paknaan after confirming reports of riders gathering and racing in the area at night.
The City Mayor’s Office-Special Mayor’s Active Response Team (CMO-SMART), Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) and Barangay Paknaan intervened in the reported activity at around 11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.
City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on said the city initially received information that nearly 20 motorcycles were involved in the activity.
The reported races raised safety concerns because the area is a public space and motorcycles were being driven at high speeds.
The operation followed a complaint received by Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano from a concerned resident, according to CMO-SMART team leader Gerard Glenn “RD” Soon Gobalani.
Gobalani said Ouano directed the team to verify the report, prompting surveillance that confirmed motorcycles were being raced beneath the bridge.
The riders reportedly began arriving at around 9 p.m. and stayed until about 11 p.m. or midnight. Some were also reportedly modifying or tuning their motorcycles before testing them on the road.
Gobalani said the activity was particularly concerning because the location remains accessible to the public, including families who visit the area.
Authorities checked the riders’ vehicle registration documents and driver’s licenses during Thursday night’s operation.
Gobalani said the documents were valid, leaving authorities with no initial traffic violations to file against those intercepted.
The riders were instead warned against conducting drag races, while authorities documented their motorcycle plate numbers for monitoring.
Gobalani said penalties could be pursued if the same riders are caught engaging in unauthorized racing again.
Some of those monitored were reportedly in their early 20s, with riders coming from Mandaue and neighboring Consolacion. The Cansaga area is near the boundary of the two localities.
Authorities also noted reports that some riders were not wearing helmets.
Malig-on said the city is checking with the Sangguniang Panlungsod whether Mandaue has an existing ordinance specifically addressing drag racing.
If no local measure directly covers the activity, he said the city administration would seek guidance from Ouano on the appropriate action.
The city is also looking into reports of similar motorcycle activities along Ouano Avenue in the North Reclamation Area, Gobalani said.
He clarified that the city’s concern is not organized motorcycle racing conducted with proper authorization and under controlled conditions.
Mandaue previously allowed a circuit race in the Cansaga area as part of its Charter Day activities, with organizers operating under a controlled setup.
The recent activity, however, was conducted without a permit or similar safety arrangements, prompting authorities to intervene.
Malig-on appealed to young riders and their parents to discourage activities that could endanger riders and other people.
“Hopefully, paminawon ang syudad ‘no. Sa atong mga parents, i-advise pud ilang mga anak ‘no to discourage ani nga kind of practice kay dangerous kaayo na sa ilang kinabuhi ug sa kinabuhi sa ubang tao,” Malig-on said.
Photo courtesy of Doc Rd Soon Gobalani
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