Traffic builds up along EDSA in Quezon City on April 1, 2024, as people return to work or school after the Holy Week. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday said that government officials are expected to lead by example when it comes to being disciplined drivers, underscoring the importance of abiding by traffic rules to help ease the congestion especially in the capital region.

In his latest vlog, Marcos Jr. said that while new road networks and transportation systems are being built, Filipinos should begin shifting to a more disciplined mindset when it comes to driving. 

“Yan ang kailangan simulan naming mga nasa hanay ng gobyerno. Ang pag-aabuso at pagbabalewala sa batas trapiko ay hindi prebiliheyo na kasama sa sinumpaan naming mga lingkod-bayan,” the President said. 

“Pangungunahan ng pamahalaan at ng lahat ng mga ahensya ang pagiging disiplinado sa ating mga lansangan,” he said. 

(That is what those in government have to start doing. The abuse and disregard for traffic laws is not a privilege that comes with our vow to serve the public. The administration and all its agencies will spearhead efforts to have more discipline on roads.) 

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Drivers in the Philippines should be more courteous on the roads and learn how to give way to other vehicles, the President said. 

“Ang higit na kakulangan nating mga Pilipino sa daan ay disiplina. Dapat susunod tayo sa traffic rules. Para tayong laging mauubusan ng kalye,” he said. 

“May bago mang kalye kung luma pa din ang ugali natin ay wala din,” he said. 

(What Filipinos lack is the discipline on roads. We have to follow traffic rules. We also drive as if we will run out of roads. Even if we construct new roads, if our driving attitude is still the same, nothing will change.) 

The President also urged the public to smile and acknowledge other drivers who gave them some courtesy on the road. 

“Kapag pinagbigyan ka, mag-thank you ka lang. Kapag pinadaan ka, mag-thank you ka. Kumaway ka pang ng kaunti, malaking bagay yan,” he said.

“Kapag ginawa ninyo yun, masasanay tayo sa ganiyan at mas maganda ang bigayan kapag ganoon,” he added. 

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(If another driver lets you pass through, say thank you. If they give way for you, say thank you. A small gesture acknowledging their courteousness goes a long way. If we keep on doing that, it will be a habit and we will be used to being more courteous on the road.) 

Marcos Jr. acknowledged that heavy traffic in the Philippines, especially in Metro Manila, have placed the country under a bad light. 

Earlier this year, Marcos Jr. was caught on camera covering his face with his hands after Coldplay frontman Chris Martin cursed at Manila’s traffic during the band’s concert here. 

'Music lover' Marcos on Coldplay concert: 'You cannot miss it'

“Traffic ang isa sa pinakamatindi nating problema dito sa bansa,” he said. 

“Nakakalungkot man ay isa na itong bahagi ng pamumuhay ng bawat Pilipino at hindi natin mapagkaila na tanyag o notorious na sa buong mundo ang traffic dito sa Pilipinas,” he said. 

“Bagamat nakasanayan o nakakalakhan, hindi tayo dapat tumigil sa paghahanap ng mga solusyon,” he added. 

(Traffic is one of the biggest problems in the country. Sad to say but it has already become part of the daily life of every Filipino and we cannot deny that the Philippines has become infamous or notorious across the world for having bad traffic conditions.”) 

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The government has been trying to make areas outside Metro Manila more accessible, and has also been pushing to develop some provinces to attract more residents and workers, Marcos Jr. said. 

“Ang pagkalat at pagdami ng mga oportunidad sa labas ng Metro Manila ay tiyak na makakatulong sa lagay ng trapiko ngunit hindi ito agarang solusyon,” he said. 

“Malalaking proyekto ang mga ito kung kaya naman dapat natin isipin na hindi bukas na natin mararamdaman ito dahil malaki talaga ang scale at kung minsan ay nakakaabala pa sa mga trapik ngayon,” he said. 

“Pagtiyagaan niyo lang pero kapag nabuo na yan, asahan niyo na gaganda ang sitwasyon natin.” 

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(The spread and increase of opportunities outside Metro Manila will surely help our traffic situation but this is not an immediate solution. These are big projects so do not expect these to be felt tomorrow because these are huge in scale and sometimes it even worsens the current traffic conditions. Just be patient because once these are completed, you can expect a better situation.)

The President said that more details of the Philippines traffic situation would be discussed in detail in the coming days. 

The Chief Executive is expected to attend a “Traffic Summit” on April 10 before he travels to Washington DC for an overseas engagement.