Ka Leody: ‘No vax, no ride’ policy violates people’s rights, calls for intensive vaccination drive

Labor leader and presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman on Wednesday said the implementation of the “no vaccination, no ride” in public transport policy has no legal basis, adding that it violates the basic civil rights of the public.

De Guzman made the statement after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the implementation of the public transport policy in the National Capital Region (NCR) while the area is under Alert Level 3 or higher.

“Walang tinutungtungan na ligal na kautusan ang ‘no vax, no ride’ policy ng DOTr. Bagkus, ito’y lumalabag sa mga batayang karapatan ng mamamayan,” De Guzman said in a statement.

(The DOTr’s ‘no vax, no ride’ policy does not have any legal basis. It also violates the basic rights of the people.)

“Habang ang karapatang lumakbay na maaari naman pigilan sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng bansa pero naglalaro na naman ng blame game ang administrasyon,” he added.

(While the mobility of the people can be restricted in the current situation of the country, the administration is once again playing a blame game.)

The labor leader said that after two years and billions in debt amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is still far from the “new normal.”

He called for an intensive vaccination drive to help the medical frontliners and patients amid the rising COVID-19 infections.

“Palakasin pa ang healthcare system sa bansa para epektibong matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga pasyente, medical frontliners at pati yung mga sa bahay na lamang nagpapagamot,” De Guzman said.

(Strengthen the healthcare system in the country to effectively meet the needs of patients, medical frontliners and even those who only seek medical treatment at home.)

“Mahihirapan ipatupad ng mga transport workers ang no vax, no ride dahil wala naman din silang access sa database ng mga bakunado. Maglilipana ang mga pekeng vaccination card para makaiwas sa ganitong patakaran,” he added.

(It will be difficult for transport workers to implement no vax, no ride because they also do not have access to the database of vaccinated people. Fake vaccination cards will be circulating in the implementation of this policy.)

On January 11, 2022, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued Department Order No. 2022-001, which allows public transportation access only to fully vaccinated individuals.

A full vaccination status can be proven by either physical or digital copies of local government unit-issued vaccine card, Department of Health-issued vaccine certification, or any Inter-Agency Task Force-prescribed document with valid government-issued ID with picture and address.

The government's COVID-19 task force has placed the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022 following the sharp increase in new COVID-19 infections in the country.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs/perya, and casinos are among the activities and establishments that are prohibited under Alert Level 3.

Work at government offices is limited to 60% of their onsite capacity. — RSJ, GMA News