REGARDLESS OF THE steep rise in fuel prices, many Filipinos still used their vehicles and rode public transport to get home and celebrate the Holy Week in their hometowns, some even to get a much-needed break from the daily ground by trooping to the beaches.
Obviously, with 1,091 road crashes and treatments of injuries by the health department, either emotional stresses or the desire to get off the road soonest because of the scorching heat, could have prompted some to lose their patience; some vehicles were not properly maintained; traffic rules were violated like texting while in motion and maybe overtaking other vehicles.
‘Obviously, with 1,091 road crashes and treatments of injuries by the health department, either emotional stresses or the desire to get off the road soonest because of the scorching heat, could have prompted some to lose their patience; some vehicles were not properly maintained; traffic rules were violated like texting while in motion and maybe overtaking other vehicles.’
The DoH said the incidents were reported between March 29 (Palm Sunday) to April 2 (Maundy Thursday) from 161 hospitals nationwide, according to DoH spokesman Albert Domingo in a radio interview.
The figure is 150% higher than the 437 road crash accidents recorded during the same period in 2025.
Domingo said the number may seem higher this time as hospitals are more keen to report incidents.
“Hindi ibig sabihin na ito’y mas rumarami. Baka marami, mas nagre-report yung mga hospital (This doesn’t necessarily mean that the number is increasing. It could be that more hospitals are reporting cases),” he said.
“Ang importante nagkakaroon ng pananaw. Nakikitanatin yung mga dapat iwasan (What’s important is gaining awareness. We can see what needs to be avoided),” he added.
CODE WHITE
Of the total number, Central Luzon has the most number of incidents with 196, followed by Davao Region with 161 and Ilocos Region with 159.
Most road crash accidents involved men (738), and the majority of those affected were 20 to 24 years old (167), reported GMA News online.
Top injuries incurred in road crash incidents:
• Abrasion
• Open wound
• Laceration
• Contusion Fracture
• Avulsion
A large number of road crash victims were not using any safety gear (944), followed by motorcyclists (783), intoxicated persons (118), and pedestrians.
He said hospital staff remain on standby for any incidents requiring medical assistance, even after Code White is lifted.
The Health Dept. earlier raised Code White from March 30 to April 6, 2026.
Code White means all health emergency teams, health commodities, and emergency rooms of DOH hospitals are on standby at all times to respond to road accidents, injuries, and health emergencies.
Beginning on Palm Sunday and concluding on Easter Sunday, the Holy Week is the time for Roman Catholics to commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Meanwhile, the Paschal Triduum or Easter Triduum refers to the last three days of Holy Week, which are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.
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