PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminded motorists, particularly drivers, to bring along with them “long patience” every time they travel, especially during the Holy Week break, to maintain peace and order on the road.
In a video message, Marcos raised the need for the public to strictly follow traffic rules and observe discipline on the roads.
“Ang tatapang na natin lahat, siga na lahat. Ano na ba ang kulturang ito na pagiging siga sa daan? Saan ba natin nakuha ito? Ano na ba ang nangyayari sa atin at parang natural lang ang mga ganitong komprontasyon at karahasan?” he said, as he reacted to various recent road rage incidents that resulted in violence and confrontation between drivers and riders.
(We're all acting tough now; everyone wants to be a thug. What kind of culture is this-- this bravado on the streets? Where did we even get this from? What’s happening to us that confrontations and violence like this seem so normal?)
“Wag maging kamote, masyado nang marami yan. Ang lisensya sa pagmamaneho ay isang pribelehiyo at hindi karapatan, at bukod sa dunong sa pagmamaneho, ang lahat ay kailangan ayusin ang pag-uugali sa pagmamaneho at habaan ang pasensya… Pasensya na lang, palampasin n’yo na lang, ano naman ang mawawala sa atin, isang, lima of 20 seconds pagbigyan na at wag na patulan,” he added.
(Don’t be a “kamote” driver -- there are already too many out there. A driver’s license is a privilege, not a right. Beyond knowing how to drive, we all need to fix our attitude on the road and practice more patience. Just be patient, let things go. What do we really lose by giving way -- one, five, or even 20 seconds? Let it pass, don’t escalate.)
Marcos said disagreements can be settled if all parties will take some time to calm down before talking to each other.
The chief executive also reminded the public, particularly the witnesses of such incidents, to help settle the matter instead of taking videos usually for social media purposes.
“Ang ibang tao sa paligid, umawat tayo imbes na mag-video. Ituring na natin na meron tayong tungkulin na panatilihin ang kapayapaan sa paligid natin,” said Marcos.
(To those around -- let’s step in instead of recording videos. Let’s treat it as our duty to help keep the peace in our surroundings.)
“Ang lahat ay napapag-usapan ng maayos, malumanay. Lugi tayo at mga pamilya natin sa mga dala nitong kapalit kung hahayaan natin na lamunin tayo ng galit kahit isang saglit lang,” he added.
(Everything can be settled calmly and peacefully. We, and our families, end up losing more if we let anger take over, even for just a moment.)
In March, a motorcycle rider was killed while three others were wounded after a driver went on a shooting rampage following a verbal altercation with the victim.
On Monday evening, April 14, 2025, two individuals were injured when a passenger bus rammed a closed van at the North Luzon Expressway.
The bus company involved in the incident was suspended.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed under heightened alert for the conduct of security operations during the summer vacation, which includes the Holy Week break, as well as the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil said 58,000 police personnel will be deployed for the maintenance of peace and order during these occasions, which is expected to draw a large crowd.
Marbil also reminded the public to be patient when traveling to avoid much more inconveniences.
The Department of Transportation is expecting over 30 million travelers during the Holy Week exodus. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)