CEBU CITY – The province of Cebu will not implement the “no vaccine, no ride” policy.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia described the policy that is being implemented in Metro Manila as anti-poor.
“There will be no further requirement like the presentation of vaccination card. That is anti-poor,” Garcia said on Tuesday.
The governor cited Republic Act 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination program Act of 2021 stating "the vaccine cards shall not be considered as an additional mandatory requirement for educational, employment and other similar government transaction purposes."
“I think the law is very clear. How else can we interpret other than saying that there shall be no mandatory requirement of vaccine card so that people may enter establishments? May enter schools? May go to work or may enter government buildings or avail of government services?” said Garcia.
“It’s very clear. So, I cannot understand why this movement towards now discriminating against the unvaccinated by refusing even their boarding of public buses, airplanes and other means of transportation as well as insisting – as a mayor now has complained – that teachers should show their vax cards before they can enter their own schools,” Garcia added.
On Wednesday, Jan.19, Garcia issued a memorandum reminding all mayors in Cebu "to refrain from requiring the presentation of a vaccination card for educational, employment and other similar government transaction purposes."
Apart from opposing the "no vaccine, no ride" policy, Garcia is also against "the no vaccine, no work" policy.
Garcia reminded the mayors of the Department of Labor and Employment advisory that "merely requires covered establishments and employers to endeavor to endeavor to encourage their employees to get vaccinated.
"A no vaccine, no work policy shall not be required," Garcia said.
Also, Garcia said the province will not be putting up border control points.
What the province will do is mount checkpoints to check if drivers and passengers are wearing facemasks and proper ventilation is being observed in public utility vehicles, Garcia said.