Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday scored the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for enforcing a “no vaccination, no ride” policy in the National Capital Region (NCR), saying it should not unfairly punish citizens when it cannot assure there is sufficient COVID-19 vaccines available to all.
“First, it begs the question—are there enough vaccine doses available even for the willing? If not, it’s unfair,” Lacson 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,” the senator added.
“It is a different matter altogether if vaccines are available to all. By all means, we have the right to be insulated from a higher risk of infection. At least both sides have an option,” said Lacson, a presidential aspirant in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier issued Department Order No. 2022-001, saying the “no vaccine, no policy” will take effect in while Metro Manila is placed under Alert Level 3 or higher.
The order covers all domestic travel, to and from and within the NCR via public transportation by land, air, sea, and rail.
The directive also covers public transportation for individuals who reside outside NCR but are working and/or traveling to the same.