A call for order in Cebu’s fragmented truck restriction system has gained urgency as provincial officials warn that inconsistent policies are worsening traffic and inflating logistics costs across Metro Cebu.
A patchwork of truck ban schedules across Metro Cebu has come under scrutiny, with Governor Pamela Baricuatro pushing for a unified policy to address congestion and rising transport costs.
Baricuatro is leading efforts to align truck restriction hours among local government units, saying the lack of coordination has created bottlenecks in the movement of essential goods.
The issue was raised during a logistics consultation on April 14, where transport stakeholders and representatives from 14 LGUs—from Danao City to Carcar City—reviewed regional traffic flow.
Baricuatro said the discussions revealed a system marked by inconsistent enforcement.
“Ni-present sila sa truck ban time… only to find out nga lain-lain og oras,” she said, referring to varying restriction schedules across cities and municipalities.
Instead of easing traffic, the differing time windows have forced delivery trucks to stop at jurisdictional boundaries, waiting for bans to lift before proceeding.
“Mao diay ni nga traffic kay lain-lain og oras,” she added.
In Cebu City, truck bans are enforced from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., while Mandaue City implements different time frames.
Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova maintain longer restriction periods, further complicating logistics routes.
Southern LGUs such as Talisay, Naga, Minglanilla, and San Fernando follow separate schedules, while Carcar City and Sibonga have no truck bans in place.
The uneven system has prompted some drivers to reroute deliveries, often selecting longer paths to avoid restrictions.
“Ang uban adto matulogg una sa Carcar kay wala ma’y ban,” Baricuatro said.
Beyond timing differences, penalties and exemptions also vary between LGUs, adding further complexity for transport operators.
“Ang ila sang penalty lain-lain sad,” she noted, pointing to differing fine structures across jurisdictions.
Baricuatro said the situation reflects a breakdown in coordination inconsistent with the idea of a unified Cebu.
“Nakita ang katag, in short,” she said. “Mao ning ‘One Cebu’? Dili mani One Cebu, lain-lain man.”
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces noted that Central Visayas continues to post one of the highest inflation rates in the country, with logistics costs contributing to price pressures.
“Daghan kaayo’g fees… inig abot sa goods, fees; inig gawas, fees,” he said.
To address the issue, the Capitol is pushing for a standardized truck ban system that would harmonize schedules, penalties, and exemptions across Metro Cebu.
“We have to come up with a unified time for truck ban,” Baricuatro said.
A follow-up consultation is scheduled on April 28, where stakeholders are expected to refine proposals toward a possible region-wide agreement.
The provincial government is weighing an executive order or proposed ordinance through the Provincial Board, depending on the outcome of discussions.
Baricuatro said the initial consultation provided a clearer picture of Cebu’s logistics challenges and transport flow gaps.
“At least nakita na nato ang overview sa logistics movement,” she said. (SBA).
Image courtesy of: PNA
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