Manila traffic signs spark discussion on Filipinos’ reading comprehension

December 16, 2025 – 3:50 PM

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Traffic signs in

Manila

labeled as “confusing” by some Filipinos have sparked online discussions about reading comprehension and proper interpretation of road signs.

RIGHT LANE MUST TURN RIGHT

NO RIGHT TURN ON RED SIGNAL

STOP HERE ON RED SIGNAL

“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.

“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

wrote.

“To sender, wala ka naman dapat pagpilian diyan… iisa lang ibig sabihin niyan… huminto sa tamang signal at pumwesto sa tamang lugar,” another

“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

“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.