Sotto rejects DOTR’s “no vax, no ride” policy

CEBU, Philippines —  Senate President Vicente Sotto III yesterday rejected the “No Vaccination, No Ride” policy announced by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as the government ramps up its response measures to control the latest surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections.

 Sotto said executive officials should not discriminate against unvaccinated commuters, but should instead explore alternative means to convince the public to avail of its free vaccination program.

“There should be no discrimination among the riding public. Instead of barring them from riding public transports, DOTr should come up with brighter ideas on how to protect the unvaxxed from the deadly virus. For example, in trains or in PUBs, designated coaches or buses should be designated for riders who have not been jabbed,” Sotto said.

The Senate President said "our government should also serve the people who still don't want to get their vaccines.”

“There are many options, but to destabilize the means of transportation of our people should not be the only option. Think. Explore. There are plenty of other ways to fight the pandemic," he added.

Meanwhile, barangay officials who have yet to get vaccinated against COVID-19 can resign or take a leave of absence from their post as their vaccination status put the government’s vaccination program in jeopardy.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño said it would be hard for the government to convince people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when barangay officials themselves are not vaccinated.

He, however, admitted he was uncertain if there were any unvaccinated barangay officials.

Dino made the warning amid the government’s sweeping policies against unvaccinated Filipinos, among which is the “no vaccination, no ride” policy in Metro Manila, which would soon be implemented also in other areas outside the region.

Diño noted how having unvaccinated local leaders could be contradicting to the policies they are tasked to implement.

“If you haven’t gotten vaccinated, you can resign or (take a leave of absence) until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. You guys should be ashamed. Imagine, you are implementing rules when you yourselves aren’t vaccinated?” Diño said in an interview aired over dzBB.

The undersecretary also warned barangay officials that the DILG would be imposing penalties for those who would fail to record who among their constituents are not vaccinated, as part of the agency’s earlier order for local officials to submit a list of unvaccinated constituents, in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to restrict the movement of unvaccinated Filipinos.

Diño said the DILG would be releasing the guidelines for the recording of unvaccinated residents this week. — Philstar News Service, FPL (FREEMAN)