Sixty-three public transport drivers and conductors yielded positive initial drug screening results during nationwide surprise inspections ahead of Undas 2026, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The findings raise renewed concerns over passenger safety, particularly during holidays when thousands of Filipinos depend on public transportation to travel between provinces.
PDEA reported that 5,479 transport workers underwent screening from October 26 to 31 under its nationwide Oplan Harabas campaign. Of the 63 positive results, 62 indicated the possible presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, while one indicated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. The flagged individuals represented approximately 1.15% of everyone screened during the operation.
Zamboanga Peninsula recorded the highest number of positive screening results, with 22 cases, followed by CALABARZON with 10 and Central Visayas with eight. Northern Mindanao registered five, while other regions reported smaller numbers. The screenings covered workers operating various forms of public transportation, including tricycles, jeepneys, buses, vans, taxis, and other vehicles.
Despite the findings, PDEA noted a 12.5% decline in the number of workers flagged compared with the previous year’s Undas operations. In 2025, authorities recorded 72 positive results among 5,909 people tested. PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez attributed the reduction to the continuing efforts of the agency and its partners, including the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Philippine National Police (PNP), to discourage illegal drug use in the transport sector.
However, a positive initial screening result does not automatically establish confirmed drug use or prove that a worker was driving while impaired. Confirmatory examinations and established procedures are necessary before definitive findings and corresponding administrative or legal action can be made.
Oplan Harabas is intended to identify potential safety risks before they endanger commuters. Through unannounced drug screenings at transport terminals, authorities aim to reinforce road safety standards and encourage transport operators to ensure that personnel are fit for duty.
While the number of positive results has declined, the findings underscore the continuing importance of monitoring the public transport sector. For commuters who entrust their safety to drivers every day, effective screening, proper follow-up, and accountability remain essential to maintaining confidence in the country’s transportation system.