DOTr: 'No vax, no ride' rule violators only given a slap on the wrist – for now

MANILA: Commuters largely complied with the “no vaccination, no ride” rule that was implemented in Metro Manila yesterday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said in a release. The agency however warned 1,749 people who attempted to violate the rule.  

Government agencies the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), enforced DOTr's policy that bars people unvaccinated against COVID-19 from riding public utility vehicles (PUVs).

During the policy’s implementation, enforcers from the agencies detailed the DOTr order to commuters, who then complied with the rule, the transport agency said. 

“According to reports from our men on the ground, most of the passengers were prepared for the policy," Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said. 

"They voluntarily handed over their vaccination cards to our enforcers for... verification before boarding PUVs,” he added. 

DOTr Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan said a total of 1,749 commuters attempted to take Metro Manila’s rail lines without showing proof of their vaccination. 

Eight people attempted to violate the rule in the Philippines National Railways (PNR), 1,204 commuters in the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3),  and 401 and 136 people tried to ride the Light Rail Transit Line 1 and 2 (LRT-1, 2), respectively. 

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for Road and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor clarified that because the DOTr order was recently put in effect, violators of the DOTr order were just issued warnings, instead of being apprehended. 

“These (violators) were later properly turned over to their respective local government units (LGUs) for assistance,” added Asec. Pastor.

Persons exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy are the following, the DOTr explained: 

• Persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination. as shown by a duly signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor;

• Persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify travel.

The DOTr issued the “no vaccination, no ride” policy to help curb the spread of COVID-19, amid a recent spike in infections in Metro Manila.

Tugade said the department’s “no vaccination, no ride” aims to protect the unvaccinated from getting severe COVID-19 infections.

Its enforcement will be in effect while a COVID-19 Alert Level 3 level or higher remains in the National Capital Region (NCR), as to be determined by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF).

Photos from Department of Transportation and Kap Maceda Aguila

Also read: Sen. Tolentino: DOTr's 'no vax, no ride' policy legal