Thousands of Filipinos were injured on the roads during the recent holiday season, as festive celebrations, long-distance travel, and alcohol consumption contributed to a sharp rise in accidents nationwide.
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that 11,146 patients were treated for road crash injuries in 210 hospitals and infirmaries across the country from December 2024 to January 2025—nearly double the 5,785 cases recorded in the two months prior to the holidays.
The DOH flagged alcohol consumption as a significant factor, with 1,173 patients reported to have been under the influence at the time of the crash.
In Central Visayas, motorcycle accidents and drunk driving remain the most common causes of holiday road injuries.
“If nakainom ta, stay put nalang sa ta. Pahuwason nato atong lawas sa alcohol usa ta modrive,” said Dr. Shelbay Blanco, Medical Officer IV of the DOH Central Visayas Center for Health Development.
To manage the expected spike in accidents, the DOH placed medical facilities nationwide under Code White alert from December 16, 2025, to January 4, 2026, ensuring hospitals, emergency rooms, and rural health units were ready for road crash injuries and other holiday-related emergencies.
“Health workers remain on heightened alert for fireworks injuries and road crashes. We appeal to the public to celebrate safely,” Blanco said.
Aside from traffic accidents, illegal or unregulated firecrackers continue to cause injuries, especially during peak celebrations.
“Dili ta magpabuto og illegal firecrackers. If mag-fireworks, sa open field lang,” Blanco advised.
Firecrackers can also trigger respiratory problems, including asthma or other lung conditions.
Last year, more than 700 firecracker-related injuries were reported nationwide, with a surge of over 50 percent during peak holiday days.
The DOH reported 703 road crash incidents nationwide over the 2024–2025 holiday season, resulting in eight deaths, five of which involved motorcycle riders.
Motorcycles were implicated in 71 percent of all accidents.
Nearly nine out of ten crashes involved motorists failing to wear helmets or seatbelts, often combined with alcohol use.
At least 127 incidents involved intoxicated individuals. Overall, holiday road crashes were 30.6 percent higher than the same period in 2024.
The DOH urged all drivers to wear protective gear, observe speed limits, and avoid drinking before driving, stressing that most road injuries and fatalities are preventable.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, road traffic accidents remain the 12th leading cause of death in the country.
Under the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan, the government aims to reduce road fatalities by 35 percent by 2028. (LLP)
