PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday called on the public to exercise more caution and care for their families, to be more patient and understanding, and choose to be peaceful this Holy Week amid recent incidents of aggression and road rage, as well as bullying and pranks.
The President made the call in his 268th vlog that was released by Malacañang, where he addressed current issues of road rage, bullying and online pranks.
“Ngayong darating na Mahal na Araw, piliin natin ang kapayapaan, piliin natin ang kaligtasan, para sa ating mga sarili, at lalo na sa ating mga pamilya. Ang Bagong Pilipino ay naninindigan para sa bayan, ang Bagong Pilipino ay pumapanig sa kapayapaan at kaligtasan lalo na sa lansangan (This Holy Week, let us choose peace, let us choose safety, for ourselves especially for our families. The new Filipino stands for the country, the new Filipino stands for peace and safety especially on the roads),” Marcos said.
He said that with the Lenten break, more people are expected to spend time with their families and even travel.
He said everyone should be patient, be humble and take extra care as they travel, especially amid the recent incidence of road rage.
He said everyone should follow the rules, especially during heavy traffic.
Citing recent road rage incidents, the President called on the public to maintain a calm and controlled attitude and follow traffic rules instead of giving in to anger, no matter how taxing some people could be, to avoid road altercations.
Marcos also reminded everyone that having a driver’s license is not a right but a privilege that comes with the obligation to act responsibly.
He said driving involves not just skills but also calls for the right attitude, behavior and more patience.
He also urged bystanders or eyewitnesses to step up and help pacify tension instead of merely recording the incident and sharing it on social media.
The President acknowledged the frustration during traffic congestion and when reckless drivers are present but said that these are never excuses for violence and that giving in to anger, even momentarily, could bring irreversible consequences not just to individuals involved, but also to their families.
GOVT WORK SUSPENDED
Malacañang yesterday suspended work in government offices starting at noon on April 16, Wednesday, to give public employees, especially those travelling to or from the provinces, more time to spend with their families and their preparations for the Lenten break.
Executive secretary Lucas Bersamin, in Memorandum Circular 81, said government employees shall also observe a “work from home” arrangement from 8 a.m. to noon on April 16.
Bersamin said this aims to “provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on 17-18 April 2025, and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country.”
He said agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations under usual working arrangements and render necessary services.
He said the adoption of work from home and suspension of work for private companies and offices will be left to the discretion of their respective employers.
Malacañang, under Proclamation 727, declared Maundy Thursday (April 17) and Good Friday (April 18) as regular non-working holidays, while Black Saturday (April 19) is a special non-working holiday.
TIME WITH THE FAMILY
The President will spend Holy Week with his family, even as he continues to monitor developments, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
Castro said Marcos would take a break from public engagement starting Maundy Thursday and spend it with his family.
She said the President has several schedules, including private meetings, set until Wednesday.
She said Marcos did not say where he and his family would spend the rest of the Holy Week.
Castro said the President has directed key agencies to ensure safe and convenient travel for the public during the holiday period.
She said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been conducting field inspections to ensure transport facilities are operating smoothly and safely, while the Bureau of Immigration had deployed additional personnel to major airports to manage the expected influx of travelers.
