Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Jeepneys remain parked silent rows as drivers wait for their turn to ferry passengers at a terminal in Baclaran, Pasay City, on March 23, 2026. For the second consecutive week since fuel prices began their sharp ascent, drivers have largely abandoned active cruising in favor of the "pila" (queuing) system—a tactical shift to minimize fuel consumption and combat the relentless surge in diesel costs. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775798341290177433189996420260323-jeepney-driver-baclaran-terminal-queueing-JC5883.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jeepneys remain parked silent rows as drivers wait for their turn to ferry passengers at a terminal in Baclaran, Pasay City, on March 23, 2026. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em><br/></span></span></span>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— In order to help public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers greatly affected by the spike in oil prices, the Department of Health (DOH) will hold a fair to provide free health services on April 16.</div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/24/manila-s-jeepney-drivers-struggle-as-middle-east-war-sends-diesel-cost-soaring-1401">Manila&#x27;s jeepney drivers struggle as Middle East war sends diesel cost soaring</a></div><p>According to DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, drivers in the city of Manila will be the first beneficiaries.</p><p>“The general concept is we will hold it at the DOH gym. So most likely, siguro ang magagawa natin dito, Manila, Manila jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, TNVS drivers. Parang fair siya, pwede kang makukuha sa booth ng medical check-up, may Kadiwa akong pinapunta doon, meron akong NGO na pinapunta doon magpapakain ng lugaw, free,” Herbosa said.</p><p>“So, parang ganun lang, just to mawala yung stress ng ating mga jeepney driver and then all other services of health. So, binuhos ko yun as part of my partnership with government na makatulong sa most vulnerable,” he added.</p><p>Herbosa is thinking of instructing DOH regional directors to hold a similar fair in their areas after the one in Manila is held.</p><p>“We&#x27;re all hit. I know we&#x27;re all hit. But the idea is kung matulungan natin yung most vulnerable, siguro hindi tayo masyadong mahihirapan kasi magko-continue silang magpasada. At least we can convert government support to them in some other way. Better health services, mga libreng gamot, libreng tests,” Herbosa said.</p><div><br/></div><div><b>MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO OFW REPATRIATES</b></div><div><br/></div><p>The Department of Health will extend their mental health services to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who returned to the Philippines amid the growing conflict in the Middle East, Herbosa said on Friday. </p><p>Herbosa said their mental health teams and psychologists across different regions could offer these programs to OFWs. </p><p>“Ang mga repatriates natin galing ng war. [They] might suffer from anxiety and depression. Yung iba diyan may mga kakilalang namatay so very important na mabigyan sila ng suporta,” said Herbosa.  </p><p>“Usually yan ang problem ng mga galing sa giyera. Usually, yan din ang reason kung bakit sila ay nagpa-repatriate, natatakot sila dun. Sirena pa lang nanginginig na sila,” he added.</p><p>The health chief said the mental health program is continuous and not just a one-time offer to OFWs, stressing that victims should be able to recover. </p><p>Nearly 500 OFWs from Abu Dhabi and Kuwait will arrive in the Philippines through a chartered flight. </p><p>Government officials welcomed the OFWs at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, vowing financial assistance and reintegration programs. —<strong>With reports from Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mJ-b8YG5pF4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z_LYJnyPnFk?&amp;pp=0gcJCdkKAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>According to DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, drivers in the city of Manila will be the first beneficiaries.</p>

According to DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, drivers in the city of Manila will be the first beneficiaries.

DOH to hold 'health fair' for Manila PUV drivers on April 16

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DOH to hold 'health fair' for Manila PUV drivers on April 16

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 10, 2026 01:44 PM PHT

|

Updated April 10, 2026 03:58 PM PHT

Read More:

doh

fair

puv drivers

april 16

oil crisis

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