Who's exempt from 'no vaccination, no ride' policy?

Amid commuting public’s confusion and outcry due to the barring of the unvaccinated from boarding public transportation in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday reiterated that there are exemptions to the “no vaccination, no ride” policy.

In a statement, the DOTr said the exemptions are contained in the policy, which has been fully enforced since Monday, January 17, 2022.

DOTr Department Order No. 2022-001 exempted the following from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy:

• 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

With this, the Transportation department said that exemptions for essential workers is “not a new protocol” were implemented after the full enforcement of the policy.

Officials, on Tuesday, clarified that the workforce is exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride" policy as they render essential services. 

DOTR's iteration came after a partially vaccinated worker was barred from taking public transportation for her to have her medical exam at work. She even lamented that it was not her fault that her second dose was scheduled next month.

Also, the DOTr said earlier that those going to vaccination centers are exempted from the policy as their travel is considered as for medical purposes.

Moreover, the DOTr said that exemptions stated in the DO 2022-001 are pursuant to the IATF guidelines on who are allowed to go to work in essential industries under Alert Level 3.

Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until January 31, 2022.

The DOTr said that enforces under the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG), at NCR Police Office (NCRPO) are being informed of the said exemptions under the DO 2022-001 even before the full implementation of the policy.

The DO 2022-001 allows public transportation access only to fully vaccinated individuals.

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.

Nonetheless, the Transportation department apologized for the inconvenience the policy might have caused to commuters.

The agency also reiterated that the policy is not anti-poor as it only aims to protect both the vaccinated and unvaccinated from contracting COVID-19, overwhelming the health care system, and to prevent a repeat of a public transport shutdown. 

For those questioning the legal basis of the policy, the DOTr cited the Metro Manila Council’s resolution No. 22-01, series of 2022, prohibiting unvaccinated individuals in the NCR from domestic travel via public transportation by land, sea, and air.”

“Gayundin, nilinaw ng Department of Justice (DOJ) sa kanilang legal opinion na ang Resolution mula sa MMDA at MMC na may kaakibat na LGU ordinances ay valid exercise ng police power sa ilalim ng Local Government Code,” the DOTr said.

“Dahil ang kautusan ng DOTr ay nagpapatupad ng mga ordinansang ito, ang DOTr order ay legally valid din,” it added.

The agency quoted Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra as saying, “The state has the power to regulate the movement of unvaccinated persons if it deems that such regulation is in the interest of public health or public safety.” —LBG, GMA News