The Department of Transportation (DOTr) would lift its controversial “no vaccination, no ride” policy as Metro Manila is set to revert back to Alert Level 2 starting February 1.
“Once we de-escalate to Alert Level 2, the no vaxx, no ride policy shall automatically be lifted,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Libiran said to reporters.
The transportation department implemented the policy in early January “to prevent a repeat of the public transport shut down [and] safeguard those that are most at risk.”
Various groups aired their concerns on the legality and constitutionality of the policy, noting that only 67.8% residents in Metro Manila are fully vaccinated. Moreover, 88% or almost nine out of ten households in Metro Manila do not have private vehicles and mainly use public transportation.
The National Capital Region Police Office said non vaccinated commuters have “other means of transportation” and were only banned on public transportation.
Libiran noted that the “no vaccination, no ride” policy is not permanent. The said policy will only take effect while Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 or higher.
“This means that if the Covid-19 Alert Level System in Metro Manila is below Alert Level 2, the No Vaxx, No Ride Policy on public transportation will be automatically lifted or suspended,” she added. Ronald Espartinez