More than 2,000 traffic citation tickets (TCTs) were issued by Cebu City traffic enforcers during the first two weeks of full implementation of Oplan BanTal, with the highest number recorded on its first day.
The Cebu City Transportation Management Office (CCTO) recorded 2,082 TCTs from Aug. 5 to 18 based on daily accomplishment reports submitted by personnel involved in the operation.
The CCTO said the consolidated figure still needs to be checked against the original daily reports.
Enforcers recorded their highest daily tally on Aug. 5, the first day of full enforcement, with 296 apprehensions. The count reached 205 on Aug. 11, 192 on Aug. 12, and 185 on Aug. 10.
The Aug. 18 figure covered only the morning operation, during which enforcers issued 85 TCTs.
The available data shows the overall number of apprehensions but does not provide a complete breakdown of citations by specific violation or vehicle type.
Among the violations repeatedly listed in the daily reports were “Crossing Solid Line” and “Loading/Unloading,” each appearing on seven reporting days.
“Driving Left” and “No Crash Helmet” each appeared on six days, while “No Stopping Anytime” appeared on five days.
Other violations included No Entry, Obstruction, No Left Turn, No Parking Anytime, Parking on Sidewalk, Driving on Sidewalk, Parking on PUJ Stop, Unlawful Riding, Defective Headlight, Defective Brake Light, No Delivery Permit, No CCTO ID, Parking on Taxi Stand and Overloading.
However, the number of days a violation appeared in the reports does not indicate how many motorists received citations for that particular offense.
For instance, while “Crossing Solid Line” appeared in seven daily reports, the available records do not show the total number of TCTs issued for the violation.
The reports also listed a motorcycle-related category identified as “Motorcycles RIGHT OUTER LANE,” but did not provide a complete classification of apprehended vehicles, such as motorcycles, private vehicles, public utility jeepneys and trucks.
The latest figures come amid discussions over citations issued during the initial implementation of Oplan BanTal, particularly after the city changed one of the program’s major traffic restrictions.
The Foodland Flyover reopened to motorcycles on Aug. 6, a day after full enforcement began.
CCTO head Raquel Arce later clarified that citations issued on Aug. 5 remained valid because enforcers based their apprehensions on the traffic signs and road rules in effect at the time.
“Naay signage nga ‘No Entry.’ So, as far as kadtong mga dakop are concerned, legit to siya nga dakop. Dili to siya sayop nga dakop nga mao’y atong grounds for invalidity,” Arce said.
She also noted that crossing a solid lane marking was already prohibited before Oplan BanTal took effect.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Harold Kendrick Go is seeking a one-time waiver of penalties for qualified violations committed during the program’s initial implementation or adjustment period.
Go presented a proposed resolution on Aug. 18 seeking a limited waiver for motorists and commuters who may have been penalized while adjusting to the new traffic rules.
The proposal does not seek to suspend or repeal existing traffic ordinances. Instead, it calls for the waiver to cover only qualified violations committed during an officially determined adjustment period.
Go said new enforcement programs should provide motorists with sufficient time for education, information dissemination and familiarization with revised traffic rules.
The proposed measure also cited possible instances in which motorists were unfamiliar with newly designated areas, restrictions or traffic regulations.
It further calls on the CCTO to strengthen its information campaign through clearer road signs, wider dissemination of guidelines and proper orientation for motorists, commuters and other road users.
CCTO: cancellation not within agency’s authority
Arce earlier said the CCTO cannot simply cancel traffic citations because doing so falls outside her authority.
She said requests to cancel citations must undergo the appropriate administrative process, including review by the Traffic Management Committee Board before being elevated to the mayor and other approving authorities.
Arce also cautioned against allowing traffic enforcers to cancel citations themselves, saying such a practice could raise questions about fairness and accountability.
“Kung mag-practice ta ana nga ang enforcer pwede maka-cancel sa iyang citation, ako pud pwede maka-cancel sa citation sa enforcer. Dili na siya fair,” Arce said.
Photo by Jacq Hernandez
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