The recent festivities for Señor Santo Niño once again laid bare a painful daily reality for Cebuanos: the suffocating gridlock that has come to define the city's streets. The congestion experienced by thousands of devotees is not a seasonal anomaly but a symptom of a deep-rooted urban crisis that worsens with each passing year.
The Root of the Gridlock: Too Many Cars, Too Little Planning
The core issue is starkly simple: thousands of new vehicles flood Cebu's roads annually. What was once a manageable flow, with peaceful weekends for travel, has transformed into a constant crawl. The post-pandemic period has seen no relief, with even Sundays now plagued by heavy traffic. While authorities are often blamed, the public has also become part of the problem, enabled by a systemic failure to implement supportive policies.
A critical missing piece is safe walkability. The dream of walking securely, separated from reckless motorcycle drivers and traffic, remains just that—a dream. Proper sidewalks are a rare commodity in Cebu City. Where they exist, like the limited stretch in Bacayan initiated by former barangay captain and now Councilor Winston Pepito to protect schoolchildren, they are celebrated as exceptions rather than the norm.
Failed Promises: The Collapse of Public Transport Dreams
The reliance on private vehicles is a direct result of an ineffective public transportation system. Two major projects have become symbols of stalled progress. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is languishing, struggling to get off the ground. Meanwhile, the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) system remains confined to political speeches and stories. As these discussions drag on, the traffic situation deteriorates daily, fueling road rage and testing the patience of every commuter stuck in the endless jam.
A Lesson from Seoul: The Power of Political Will
A powerful example of transformative urban leadership comes from Seoul, South Korea. Over two decades ago, in the early 2000s, then-Mayor Lee Myung-bak embarked on a radical project. He tore down an elevated expressway built in the 1960s-70s that cut through the city center, despite widespread fears it would cause traffic chaos.
In its place, he resurrected the Cheonggyecheon Stream, creating a 5.8-kilometer green public space with walking paths and flowing water. The anticipated traffic nightmare never materialized. Instead, vehicle numbers decreased, aided by excellent public transport and public adaptation. This bold move demonstrated the decisive political will that Cebu's current leadership is accused of lacking.
The contrast is painful. While Seoul revitalized its heart by removing a highway, Cebu cannot even provide consistent sidewalks or realize long-promised mass transit. The message is clear: solving the traffic crisis requires more than bandaids; it demands the courage to prioritize people over cars and execute visionary plans. Until that political will is found, Cebuanos will remain prisoners in their own moving metal boxes.
