Opposition Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Friday, Jan. 21, repeated his suggestion to assign a separate set of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated as more local government units are shunning the no vaccination, no ride policy that adds to the burden of their already weary constituents,
“Ang no vax, no ride ay dagdag na pahirap sa mahihirap (The ‘no vaxx, no ride’ {policy} adds to the burden of the poor). Lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya, ‘wag na nating gawing mas mabigat ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan (During this time of epidemic, let us not increase the burden of our countrymen),” Pangilinan, a vice presidential aspirant, said.
“Ang mga patakaran ay dapat praktikal at may malasakit sa tao (Rules should be practical and compassionate to the people),” he added.
Aside from Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oca Moreno also rejected the no vaccination, no ride policy.
Pangilinan said local governments should be given the discretion in addressing the vaccination issue in their respective localities.
What the national government must ensure is the availability of vaccines and other relevant resources to make them accessible to the people.
Aside from assigning a separate set of PUVs for the unvaccinated, Pangilinan also urged the government to give free rides including to those going to vaccination centers, those in emergency situations and those who need to get their essentials such as food and medicine.
He earlier asked the government to stop the implementation of the ‘no vax, no ride policy’, calling it harassment against the poor.