Ka Leody: ‘No vax, no ride’ policy not needed if gov’t has good pandemic response

Labor leader and presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman on Thursday said that there would have been no need for the policy barring unvaccinated people from public transport if the government had a good COVID-19 pandemic response.

In a radio interview, De Guzman said that while he is vaccinated, he does not agree with the implementation of the “no vaccination, no ride” measure because it is not fair to those who have yet to get their COVID-19 jabs.

“Tingin ko, maraming mga tao na hindi pa masyadong kumbinsido doon sa bakuna at tingin ko, dapat ‘yon irespeto [I think there are many people who are still not convinced about the vaccines and their decision should be respected],” he said.

The government needs to admit to the shortcomings in its pandemic response, he added.

De Guzman suggested giving the vaccinated incentives and allowing them paid leaves after getting the jabs. He said that COVID-19 testing should also be made free and that the government should support healthcare workers by giving them the promised special risk allowance.

“Bukod pa ‘yon doon sa katotohanan na bawal talaga ‘yung ganong pamumwersa dahil vina-violate ‘yung constitutional rights ng ating kababayan,” he added.

(This is in addition to the fact that such coercion is not allowed as it violates the constitutional rights of our countrymen.)

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the government could invoke the state police power enshrined in the 1987 Constitution on the issue of the said policy.

On Wednesday, more senators also joined the call to halt the implementation of the “no vax, no ride” policy following the confusion among commuters that workers are exempted from it.

De Guzman said that the public would have responded better to the measure if the government also has a satisfactory overall approach to the pandemic.

“Mukhang kahit sa reaksyon mismo ng gobyerno na pamumuwersa ay patunay ‘yan na hindi ka dapat ma-satisfy. Kasi, kung maganda ang performance ng ating pamahalaan hinggil sa pagharap sa COVID, ay hindi nangangailan ng pamumuwersa. Hindi pwedeng kaladkarin ‘yung mga tao at puwersahing pabakunahan,” he said.

(It seems that we should not be satisfied with the government's policy of forcing people. If they had a good COVID-19 response, they would have no need for coercion. People cannot be dragged and be forced to get vaccinated.)

De Guzman also asked the government to allot bigger funds to the pandemic response and consider shifting some budget from projects such as the “Build, Build, Build” to ensure the health of the Filipinos.

“‘Yung sa akin nga, aanhin mo pa ‘yung kalsada o ‘yung tulay kung patay na ‘yung mga tao? E di unahin na natin ‘yung buhay ng tao kesa sa mga ganitong isinusulong nila,” he added.

(As for me, will you still go to the road or the bridge when the people are dead? Let's prioritize people's lives over the things they promote.) — BM, GMA News