Traffic signs in Manila labeled as “confusing” by some Filipinos have sparked online discussions about reading comprehension and proper interpretation of road signs.
Automotive publication VISOR on Monday, December 15, shared a reader-submitted photo taken in the nation’s capital that featured three traffic signs in the same corner.
The photo showed the following signs:
RIGHT LANE MUST TURN RIGHT
NO RIGHT TURN ON RED SIGNAL
STOP HERE ON RED SIGNAL
The publication also shared its own take on the viral post, saying that such photos of “seemingly contradictory traffic signs” are often sent to them for posting to raise awareness.
“However, a closer analysis of the pic reveals that the three signs do not contradict each other,” it said.
“If anything, the weird part of the image is the placement of the signs that block the street names,” VISOR added.
The publication said the photo was sent with the following text: “Question po. Nasa Manila po ako at nakita ko ‘tong signages na to. Ano po ang dapat kong sundin?”
The post has garnered over 2,000 likes and reactions and over 960 comments, with some Filipinos answering the sender’s question.
“Lahat po ‘yan susundin niyo, kung ‘di ka liliko sa kanan, huwag ka pumuwesto doon sa outerlane kasi para lang sa liliko sa kanan ‘yan. ‘Pag kakanan ka, ‘wag ka muna liliko ‘pag naka-red. ‘Yung pangatlo, may guhit ‘yan sa kalsada, ibig sabihin, doon ka huminto ‘pag naka-red. So walang contradicting diyan. Wala ring redunduncy,” a Facebook user wrote.
“To sender, wala ka naman dapat pagpilian diyan… iisa lang ibig sabihin niyan… huminto sa tamang signal at pumwesto sa tamang lugar,” another commented.
“Lahat ‘yan susundin mo, kapag nasa kanan ka, dapat kakanan ka, kapag naka-red, ‘wag ka kumanan, ganun lang ‘yun,” a different Pinoy wrote.
“Makes perfect sense to me. In fact, each sign clarifies each other,” another user said, to which the publication responded: “Nakakaiyak ang reading comprehension natin.”
“Comprehension left the earth,” a different Pinoy commented.
“Only kamotes with fixer-sourced licensed are confused,” another said.
The first sign meant that vehicles in the right lane, also known as the outer lane, must turn right.
The second sign meant that vehicles turning right may not be able to do so if the traffic light flashes red.
The third sign meant that vehicles must not proceed beyond that sign if the traffic light flashes red, as it signals that the area is busy and may be an intersection where vehicles cross.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that more than one in five Filipinos aged 10 to 64 have difficulty understanding what they read, despite being able to read, write, and compute.
Based on their 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), for every nine individuals aged 10 to 64 who can read, write and compute, two have difficulty with comprehension.
Reading comprehension is the ability to read text, process it, and understand its meaning.
