DOH logs 1,091 road crash accidents on Holy Week 2026

The Department of Health (DOH) has so far recorded 1,091 road crash accidents during this year’s Holy Week.

The numbers were logged from March 29 (Palm Sunday) to April 2 (Maundy Thursday)  from 161 hospitals nationwide, DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

The figure is 150% higher than the 437 road crash accidents recorded during the same period in 2025.

However, Domingo said the number may could that 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. Nakikita natin yung mga dapat iwasan (What's important is gaining awareness. We can see what needs to be avoided),” he added.

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).

The following are the 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 said Code White will be in effect from March 30 to April 6, 2026.

Under Code White, 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. —RF, GMA News