The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stands by its policy of enforcing the “no vax, no ride’’ policy starting Feb. 26, saying it is a “valid exercise of the police power of the government.

DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the policy is part of the State's role of promoting public welfare as contained the Supreme Court's decision under the Gerochi vs. Department of Energy 2007.

Malaya issued the statement as the government plans to implement a policy that only fully-vaccinated persons will be allowed to use public transport in moving around starting Feb. 26.

However, persons with medical conditions that prevent them from getting immunized, those getting or delivering essential goods and services and those headed to inoculation sites to get the vaccine are exempted from the rule.

In declaring full support for the policy, Malaya urged the unvaccinated individuals to use the 30-window opportunity to get the jab since from the very start the target of the government is to protect them.

Further, Malaya reminded the public that the unvaccinated persons are more prone to be infected with severe illnesses.

The DILG spokesperson added that the policy targets to protect the health care system of the country not to get overwhelmed by the number of COVID-19 cases.

Due to the successful national vaccination program, Malaya noted that the country is now out of the critical system with the satisfactory reproductive rate of .99 compared to the 6.0 on Jan 2.

As of jan 25, Malaya stated that the COVID-cases recorded was at 17,677 which is less than the 20,000 mark “in so many days.’’

While critics continue to insist that the policy violates human rights, Malaya noted that the policy is supported by many ordinances passed by the various local government units (LGUs) in the country making it lawful. (Chito A. Chavez)