Lacson says no vax, no ride policy unfair if vaccines lacking

If there are not enough vaccines available, the policy to ban the unvaccinated in public transportation is "unfair," Senator Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.

He was reacting to the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) implementation of “no vaccination, no ride/entry” in public transport policy in Metro Manila while the region is under Alert Level 3 or higher. 

"First, it begs the question - are there enough vaccine doses available even for the willing? If not, it’s unfair,"  he said in a statement.

"Indiscriminately punishing even the willing but have no choice due to government shortcomings in providing for their protection should first be taken into consideration before taking a drastic action of possibly denying those people their means of livelihood to feed their families," Lacson added.

The DOTr's policy complies with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to restrict the movement of people who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 in Metro Manila, which is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Those exempted from the policy are:

-Persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor.
-Persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify travel.—LDF, GMA News